Remo Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Olisa twice denied striker Abdulmuiz Adeleke, while Michael Atata kept a clean sheet at the other end.
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Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria National League side Remo Stars at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday. It was the team’s first warm-up game ahead of next month’s U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against DR Congo.
Coach Eric Chelle named a team made up of home-based players. Michael Atata started in goal, and Aderemi Adeoye of Ikorodu City, who recently made his debut in the friendly against Russia, wore the captain’s armband.
Former U-17 star Abdulmuiz Adeleke led the line, with Sporting Lagos forward Gafar Olaniyan and Rangers’ Chimobi Igwilo on either side of him.
Both teams sized each other up in the early exchanges. Remo Stars were well organised, though they barely tested Atata in the first half. Fans following the national teams can check this Bet9ja bonus summary before the qualifiers.
Chances Few and Far Between
At the other end, Remo Stars goalkeeper Emmanuel Olisa made a big stop to deny Adeleke. Defender Stanley Joseph also made a vital block when the striker looked to get a shot away. Jude Eventus then fired a free kick wide.
Chelle made changes during the game. Rangers duo Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke came on for Aliyu Sugau of Barau FC and Ochobi Elias of Rivers United, and Timothy Zachariah replaced Igwilo.
The changes added some bite to the attack, but Remo Stars were still largely untested. Both sides continued to cancel each other out.
Remo Stars midfielder Taiwo Cole saw a long-range effort pushed out for a corner by Atata as the clock wound down. Olisa then denied Adeleke again to keep the score goalless. Readers who follow Nigerian football can also grab YOHAIG deal for football fans before the next game.
Road to the DR Congo Tie
The team will continue preparing in Ijebu Ode and Ikenne for the DR Congo qualifier next month. A draw against an NNL side is not a worry on its own, but it shows that goals may be hard to find.
Nigeria travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13. The return leg is on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Chelle is also expected to name a list of foreign based professionals before the tie. That could add depth to a squad that struggled to create clear chances.
Can the home based group score in Lubumbashi? A draw is a start, but goals will be needed over two legs. Anyone curious about promotions can read common Bet9ja promo code questions first.
A win over DR Congo would not send Nigeria straight to Egypt. They would need to win another two-legged tie in March to reach the 2027 U-23 AFCON.
For now, the squad has a few more days to fix its finishing. The warm-up gave Chelle plenty to think about.
📌 Did You Know?
- Ikenne is home to the Remo Stars Sports Institute, which has hosted camps for the Flying Eagles and other national teams.
- Nigeria have missed the last two men’s Olympic football tournaments.
- DR Congo reached this round by beating Mauritania.
- Chelle coaches the Super Eagles and also oversees the country’s other national teams.
- The 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt also serves as Africa’s qualifier for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
