Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have released seven players from their training camp to feature for their respective clubs in this weekend’s Nigeria Premier Football League fixtures.
The decision followed requests from several NPFL clubs to the Nigeria Football Federation, 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 are 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 account for three of the seven players, while Rivers United, Bendel Insurance, Sporting Lagos and Ikorodu City each received one player.
The release comes as Nasarawa United prepare for their league fixture against Kano Pillars on Sunday, November 1.
The Solid Miners occupy third position on the NPFL table with 17 points from 10 matches, level on points with Rivers United and Rangers. A victory over Kano Pillars could take them to the top of the standings.
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Other matches scheduled for Sunday include Enyimba versus Kun Khalifat, Shooting Stars versus Abia Warriors, Plateau United versus Warri Wolves, Kwara United versus Bendel Insurance, Inter Lagos versus Ranchers Bees, Rivers United versus Enugu Rangers, and Katsina United versus Sporting Lagos.
All the matches are scheduled to kick off simultaneously at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, head coach Eric Chelle will continue preparations with the remaining players for Nigeria’s two-legged qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 13 and 17.
Nigeria are scheduled to host the first leg on November 13 before the return fixture on November 17 at the Removal Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The Olympic Eagles have played one friendly match in preparation for the qualifiers, drawing 0-0 against Nigeria National League side Removal Stars in Ikenne.
Chelle fielded a home-based squad for the encounter, with Ikorodu City defender Aderemi Adeoye, who recently made his debut against Russia, captaining the team.
The squad will continue preparations in Ijebu Ode and Ikenne, with Chelle expected to include foreign-based professionals ahead of the first leg.
Naija News
