Chelle eyes Liverpool defenders Lucky and Adekoya for Olympic Eagles
- Olympic Eagles coach Eric Chelle is reportedly tracking Liverpool academy defenders Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya.
- Nigeria face DR Congo in the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November 2026.
- Lucky, born in Spain, could also play for Spain or England; Adekoya is yet to be capped.
Olympic Eagles coach Eric Chelle is reportedly keeping an eye on two Liverpool central defenders as he builds his squad for next month's U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
According to Score Nigeria, the players are Liverpool academy defenders Wellity Lucky and Noah Adekoya. Both are said to be on the radar of the Malian coach for a possible call-up.
Nigeria's Olympic Eagles are scheduled to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the qualifiers in November 2026.
Who are the two defenders?
Adekoya joined Liverpool from Burnley in January 2026 and has scored once in four appearances for the Anfield club in Premier League 2. He is yet to earn a senior international cap.
Lucky was born in Zaragoza, Spain, and qualifies for Nigeria through his parents. He has also lived in England for more than five years, which makes him eligible for England and Spain as well.
He has played for England at U15 and U16 level and has been invited to a Spain U17 training camp. Reports describe him as a prospect with the potential to break into Liverpool's senior team. He was named in seven matchday squads and made his first-team debut in a Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace in October 2025.
Fulham's Chibuzo Nwoko is also part of the picture. Reports say he and Adekoya expressed willingness to represent Nigeria when contacted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Nwoko made his Nigeria debut in the most recent friendly against Russia.
Why it matters
Nigeria has long lost young players born abroad to other countries, so tying down dual-eligible talents early matters for the national teams. For the Olympic Eagles, the qualifiers are the route to the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that also carries Olympic qualification stakes.
For an ordinary fan, the hope is simple: a stronger squad and fewer last-minute withdrawals before a crucial tie.
What happens next
Chelle is expected to name his squad for the DR Congo tie. Whether Lucky and Adekoya are included will show how serious the chase is. Nothing has been confirmed by the NFF or Liverpool, and the reports do not say either player has agreed to switch.
