{
  "id": 16122859,
  "title": "AFCON U-23 qualifiers: Chelle invites 31 players for DR Congo clash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/afcon-u-23-qualifiers-chelle-invites-31-players-for-dr-congo-clash",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T23:34:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/afcon-u-23-qualifiers-chelle-invites-31-players-for-dr-congo-clash/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has invited 31 home-based players to the Nigeria U-23 Eagles camp for the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to Daily Post Nigeria, the squad includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and 10 forwards. The invited players are expected to report to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, while foreign-based professionals are scheduled to join the camp at a later time.\n\nThe two-legged tie will begin with the first leg hosted by DR Congo at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, 2026. The return leg is set to take place four days later at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne. The winner on aggregate will advance to the final round of the qualifiers.\n\nThe 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations will be hosted by Egypt and will serve as a qualifying tournament for the men's football event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "2027 U-23 AFCONQ: Chelle invites 31 players to Ikenne camp",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/2027-u-23-afconq-chelle-invites-31-players-to-ikenne-camp",
        "published": "2026-10-22T20:15:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}