Nasarawa United Land Three Olympic Eagles Stars As Chelle Releases Seven Players

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have released seven players from their training camp to enable them to represent their respective clubs in this weekend’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures.

The decision followed requests submitted by several NPFL clubs to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with Nasarawa United receiving the highest number of players.

The team’s media officer, Niyi Busari, confirmed the development in an update to sports journalists.

The players released include Utake Emmanuel of Rivers United; Joshua Jofrank, Olughu Onu Chinemerem and Muhammad Muhammad Umar of Nasarawa United; Owelayafa Alex of Bendel Insurance; Samuel Victor Umoh of Sporting Lagos; and Ikechukwu Junior of Ikorodu City.

Nasarawa United received three players, while Rivers United, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City each had one player released to feature for their clubs.

The development comes as Nasarawa United continue their impressive campaign in the NPFL. The Solid Miners occupy third position on the league table with 17 points from 10 matches and have an opportunity to move to the top of the standings if they defeat Kano Pillars.

Other fixtures scheduled for Sunday, November 1, include Enyimba against Kun Khalifat, Shooting Stars versus Abia Warriors, Plateau United against Warri Wolves, Kwara United versus Bendel Insurance, Inter Lagos against Ranchers Bees, Rivers United versus Enugu Rangers, and Katsina United against Sporting Lagos. All the matches are scheduled to kick off simultaneously at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, head coach Eric Chelle will continue working with the remaining players as Nigeria intensify preparations for their two-legged qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first leg is scheduled for November 13, with the return fixture set for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Nigeria have so far played one friendly match in preparation for the qualifiers, recording a goalless draw against Nigeria National League side Remo Stars in Ikenne.

Chelle used a home-based squad for the encounter, with Ikorodu City defender Aderemi Adeoye, who recently made his debut against Russia, serving as captain.

The team is expected to continue its preparations in Ijebu Ode and Ikenne, while the coach is also expected to strengthen the squad by inviting foreign-based professionals ahead of the first-leg encounter.