Nigeria U23 Face DR Congo in Crucial Qualifier as Coach Backs Team
Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles face DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday in the first leg of their two-match U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie. The tournament is part of Africa’s route to the men’s football competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The return leg is scheduled for November 17 in Ikenne. Head coach Bright Ozebagbe says his players will focus on their performance rather than the hostile home atmosphere. He stressed that what happens on the pitch will matter more than whether a team plays at home or away, and that consistency across both legs will decide who advances. DR Congo coach Guy Bukasa is aiming for a strong home result. His team reached this round after overturning a first-leg loss to Mauritania with a 2-0 win in the return match. Nigeria had a bye in the opening round. The winner of this tie advances to the final qualifying round, scheduled for March 2027, with a place at the U-23 AFCON finals at stake.
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