Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles will rely on their assistant coaches, Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and Deniran Ortega, to oversee the team’s technical preparations and qualifying assignments against the Democratic Republic of Congo should head coach Éric Chelle concentrates on the Super Eagles’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this November.

Chelle, who doubles as coach of Nigeria’s senior national team and the U-23 side, faces a scheduling clash between the two national teams, with both scheduled to play their respective qualifying fixtures on November 13 and 17.

The Super Eagles will take on Tanzania in a two-legged AFCON 2027 qualifying contest, while the Olympic Eagles face DR Congo in the second round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, which also serves as part of the pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

With Chelle expected to be occupied with the senior team, responsibility for the Olympic Eagles will fall on his assistants, Ozebagbe and Ortega, alongside goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa.

Ozebagbe, who serves as the Technical Adviser of Nigeria Premier Football League side Ikorodu City, was appointed as Chelle’s first assistant with the Olympic Eagles.

Ortega, meanwhile, brings national youth-team experience to the setup, having worked as an assistant coach with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles. He is also a UEFA-licensed coach who received training from the Scottish Football Association.

Baruwa, an experienced goalkeeper trainer, completes the technical arrangement. He has previously worked with several Nigerian national teams, including the Super Eagles, CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets, and has also served as goalkeeper coach at Nasarawa United.

The trio are expected to maintain continuity within the Olympic Eagles setup as Nigeria pursue qualification for the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt, which will determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football tournament of the 2028 Olympic Games.

The first leg against DR Congo will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, before Nigeria host the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday, November 17.

Nigeria invited 31 home-based players to the Olympic Eagles camp as preparations began for the decisive encounter, with the winner over the two legs advancing to the final qualifying round of the U-23 AFCON.

The Super Eagles, meanwhile, will host Tanzania in Uyo on November 13 before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture four days later.

Chelle’s dual responsibility has therefore created a situation in which the Olympic Eagles must execute their qualifying assignment under the supervision of his assistants, while the senior team pursues vital points in the race for a place at the 2027 AFCON.

Nigeria are targeting a return to the men’s Olympic football tournament after missing the 2020 and 2024 editions. Their last appearance was at Rio 2016, where the team won bronze.