# Olympic Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Scouting Liverpool Prospects for U23 AFCON Qualifiers

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/olympic-eagles-coach-eric-chelle-scouting-liverpool-prospects-for-u23-afcon-qualifiers/
- Published: 2026-10-25T07:21:45+00:00
- Author: Olamide

As the Nigerian Olympic Eagles prepare for their upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of Congo in November 2026, head coach
Eric Chelle is reportedly expanding his scouting network to include emerging talent
within the English Premier League system. According to reports from _Score Nigeria_,
the coaching staff is currently monitoring two Liverpool academy central defenders:
Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya.

## The Search for Defensive Depth

The pursuit of these players reflects a broader strategy by the Nigeria Football
Federation (NFF) to secure dual-national talent for the national youth setup. Both
Lucky and Adekoya have been identified as potential additions to the Olympic Eagles
squad as the team looks to bolster its defensive options ahead of the high-stakes
qualifiers.

Noah Adekoya, who moved to Liverpool from Burnley in January 2026, has been gaining
experience in Premier League 2, where he has recorded one goal in four appearances.
While he has yet to make an international appearance, reports indicate that he has
expressed a willingness to represent Nigeria should he receive a formal call-up 
from the NFF.

## Navigating International Eligibility

The recruitment process for Wellity Lucky presents a more complex scenario due to
his multiple international eligibility options. Born in Zaragoza, Spain, Lucky is
eligible to represent Nigeria through his parental lineage. However, his residency
in England for over five years also makes him eligible for the English national 
team, and he has previously participated in England’s U15 and U16 setups. Furthermore,
he has received an invitation to a Spain U17 training session, highlighting his 
status as a highly sought-after prospect.

Despite these competing interests, Lucky is viewed as a significant talent within
the Liverpool system. His progression has been notable, having been named to seven
first-team matchday squads. He notably made his senior debut for the Anfield club
during a Carabao Cup fixture against Crystal Palace in October 2025.

## Building the Olympic Eagles Squad

The effort to integrate these players comes as the Olympic Eagles look to solidify
their roster for the November qualifiers. The NFF has already seen success in attracting
players with diverse backgrounds; for instance, Fulham’s Chibuzo Nwoko recently 
made his international debut for Nigeria during a friendly match against Russia.
Unlike Adekoya, Nwoko has already committed to the national team setup.

While the interest from coach Eric Chelle is clear, it remains to be seen whether
these players will be available or willing to commit to the Olympic Eagles for the
upcoming fixtures. The NFF has not provided official confirmation regarding the 
status of these negotiations, and the final squad list for the DR Congo matches 
has yet to be released.

### Conclusion

The monitoring of Liverpool prospects Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya underscores
the competitive nature of international youth football and the NFF’s proactive approach
to identifying talent. As the U23 AFCON qualifiers approach, the inclusion of such
players could provide a significant boost to the Olympic Eagles’ defensive capabilities,
provided the federation can successfully navigate the complexities of international
eligibility.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>**Source:** [Daily Post Nigeria](https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/25/olympics-chelle-keeping-tabs-on-liverpool-players-ahead-of-u23-afcon-qualifiers/)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Nigerian Olympic Eagles coach Eric Chelle is scouting Liverpool academy central 
defenders Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya to strengthen the team's defensive depth
for the upcoming U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Democratic Republic
of Congo in November 2026.

Adekoya has expressed willingness to represent Nigeria internationally, whereas 
recruiting Lucky is more complex because he is also eligible to play for Spain and
England.

This initiative highlights the Nigeria Football Federation strategy of securing 
dual-national talent to build a competitive youth squad.

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