NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Deniran Ortega will take charge of Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles in the absence of head coach Éric Chelle for their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second-round qualifying tie against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chelle, who also manages the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, is expected to travel to Uyo this weekend to oversee preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
With the fixtures scheduled to take place at the same time, Ortega, the Olympic Eagles’ first assistant coach, will assume responsibility for the team in their two-legged encounter against DR Congo.
The Olympic Eagles are scheduled to travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg on Friday, November 13. The match falls on the same day the Super Eagles are expected to host Tanzania at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The return leg, billed for the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, will also coincide with Nigeria’s Matchday Four clash against the Taifa Stars.
Ortega, a UEFA-licensed coach, will be assisted by the team’s other assistant coach and backroom staff as the Olympic Eagles seek a positive result against DR Congo and a place in the next stage of the qualifying campaign.
