Brighton & Hove Albion winger Zadok Yohanna headlines Nigeria's squad for this month's under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo, as the Olympic Eagles begin their push to return to the Olympic Games for the first time since 2016.
Coach Eric Chelle named the winger in a 23-man squad that also includes Fulham midfielder Chibuzo Nwoko and several other players recently brought into the senior Super Eagles setup.
The Olympic Eagles travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg on Nov. 13 before hosting the return at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Nov. 17.
The immediate target is a place at the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which forms part of Africa's qualification pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Victory over DR Congo would take Nigeria into the final qualifying round in March, where seven places alongside hosts Egypt will be decided.
Yohanna, 19, joined Brighton from Swedish club AIK on a five-year contract this offseason, continuing a rise that began at Nigeria's Ikon Allah Football Academy after moving to Sweden in 2025 where he contributed five goals and four assists in 18 league and cup appearances for AIK before making the step up to Brighton in June.
Zadok received his first senior Nigeria invitation for the Unity Cup in May, but missed the tournament after AIK declined to release him. The Swedish club said at the time that he was in the final stages of rehabilitation from injury and cited his recovery and sporting considerations for its decision.
While Yohanna's first opportunity with the Super Eagles was delayed, Nwoko arrives after making his senior international debut under Chelle.
The 20-year-old midfielder, also known as Chibby, started Nigeria's 3-3 friendly draw against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod last month, playing for 83 minutes before he was replaced by Vince Osuji, another who has been called up to this under-23 squad.
A former England under-18 international, Nwoko developed at Fulham after spending time in Chelsea's youth system. His progression also included a loan move to Forest Green Rovers in January, giving the left-footed midfielder experience outside academy football.
Nwoko is among a sizeable group carrying experience from the Russia friendly into the Olympic campaign. Goalkeeper Samuel James and midfielders Aderemi Adeoye and Wilfred George Igor also started that game.
Osuji came off the bench, as did forwards Umar Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar and Peter Edokpolor. Benfica's Edokpolor scored Nigeria's second goal as the Super Eagles recovered from 3-1 down to draw.
Some of the other players in the squad have received senior invitations without playing. Ikorodu City goalkeeper Michael Atata has been called up several times, while Basel defender Victory Akpe was selected for the Russia friendly before withdrawing. He was replaced by Reims midfielder John Otomewo.
Chelle has also included players with experience from Nigeria's younger national teams. Molde midfielder Daniel Daga featured in the Flying Eagles' run to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Under-20 World Cup, while Sporting Supreme forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke scored twice against Togo at the 2024 WAFU B Under-17 Championship.
Nigeria's last Olympic appearance brought bronze in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, following gold at Atlanta 1996 and silver at Beijing 2008. The country remains Africa's most successful team in men's Olympic football.
The seven Nigeria-based players in Chelle's squad are scheduled to depart Tuesday ahead of the first leg at Stade TP Mazembe, with the return fixture four days later determining whether Nigeria's bid advances to the final qualifying round.