Emiloju FC Chairman Lauds Chelle’s Home-Based Players’ Initiative Ahead of DR Congo Clash
By Sportsgister
The Chairman of Emiloju FC, Alhaji Musiliu Jimoh Alao, has applauded Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle for inviting 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles’ camp ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Alao described the invitation as a positive development for Nigerian football, expressing optimism that the opportunity would add significant value to the domestic league by providing local players with greater exposure and a pathway to international football.
The Emiloju FC chairman believes that giving players competing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and other domestic competitions opportunities to represent the country at the international level will boost their confidence, improve their performances and encourage healthy competition among locally based footballers.
According to Alao, the decision to assemble a squad exclusively from home-based players demonstrates the importance of recognising and developing talents within the Nigerian football system.
He added that consistent opportunities for domestic league players to represent the national team could also enhance the league’s reputation, attract greater attention from scouts and encourage investment in grassroots and domestic football development.
Alao commended Chelle for providing a platform through which Nigerian talents can showcase their abilities while contributing to the country’s quest to return to the Olympic men’s football tournament.
Chelle has invited 31 players to the Olympic Eagles’ camp as Nigeria begin preparations for their two-legged U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The invited players comprise four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders and 10 forwards, all drawn from Nigerian domestic clubs.
The first leg is scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, while the return leg will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, November 17.
The winner over the two legs will advance to the final round of qualifying for next year’s U23 AFCON in Egypt. The tournament will determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football competition of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Eagles have been out of the men’s Olympic football tournament for the past decade, having last participated at Rio 2016, where Nigeria secured the bronze medal.
Nigeria previously won the gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and silver at Beijing 2008, achievements that remain significant milestones in the country’s football history.
Nigeria received a bye into the second qualifying round, while the Democratic Republic of Congo advanced after overcoming Mauritania over two legs.
The invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, October 25, to begin preparations for the crucial encounter.
With preparations set to begin in Ijebu-Ode, attention will now turn to how quickly the Olympic Eagles can build cohesion ahead of their decisive encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For Alao, the invitation represents more than an opportunity for 31 players. It is also a welcome endorsement of the talent available in Nigerian domestic football and a step towards giving home-based players a stronger voice on the international stage.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
