Nigeria Set For DR Congo Showdown As All 23 Olympic Eagles Players Report To Camp

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have arrived in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of their crucial first-leg encounter against the hosts in the second round of the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the Nigerian contingent travelled to DR Congo with all 23 invited players having reported to camp as preparations intensify for Friday’s encounter, scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium.

The squad comprises seven players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and 16 foreign-based professionals, giving the technical crew a full complement of players ahead of the important fixture.

Assistant coach Deniran Ortega will take charge of the team for both legs of the qualifying contest in the absence of head coach Éric Chelle, who is currently engaged with the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

Ortega faces the task of guiding the young Nigerian side to a positive result away from home to strengthen their chances of progressing to the next stage of the qualification campaign.

The Olympic Eagles will face DR Congo in the first leg on Friday, November 13, before welcoming the Congolese side for the return fixture next Tuesday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Ogun State.

Nigeria will be targeting an aggregate victory over their opponents to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 tournament alive.

The two-legged encounter forms part of the qualifying process for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, with both teams seeking to secure a place in the final qualifying round.

The winner of the tie will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso in March 2027 for a place at the tournament.