Head coach Éric Chelle has called up Nasarawa United striker, Prince Bawa Oche, as a late replacement for injured Suleiman Sani in the Olympic Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier against Democratic Republic of Congo.
Saudi club Al-Qudsiah FC have already informed the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, that Sani won’t be available for the second qualifying round fixture.
Oche’s inclusion has now increased the number of home-based players in the squad to eight.
The local players will depart the country today (Tuesday) for DR Congo, where they will be joined by the invited 15 foreign-based professionals.
DR Congo will host the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium, Lubumbashi, on Friday.
The reverse fixture is scheduled for the Remo Stars Sports Complex, Ikenne next week Tuesday.
The winner of the two-legged contest will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso in the final qualifying round.