Nigeria U23 head coach Éric Chelle has released 18 home-based players from the Olympic Eagles training camp after a 0-0 friendly against Nigeria National League side Remo Stars.
Chelle began preparations for the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo by inviting 31 domestic players. The large local group spent 2 weeks in camp as the coaching staff assessed talent from the Nigeria Premier Football League and other domestic competitions.
The friendly against Remo Stars on Saturday was used as the final test for the home-based players. Following the goalless draw, Chelle decided to release 18 of them to make room for the foreign-based contingent expected to join later in the week.
13 overseas professionals have been invited to complete the squad. Several of them have featured in previous international outings and are expected to form the core of the team for the upcoming qualifier.
The reduction was always part of Chelle’s preparation plan. The early camp allowed him to evaluate domestic options thoroughly before bringing in the more experienced Europe-based players ahead of the two-legged clash with DR Congo.
The Olympic Eagles will now finalize their squad for the U23 AFCON qualifying series as attention turns fully to the fixtures against the Congolese.
