U-23 AFCON Qualifier: DR Congo Hand Nigeria 2-0 Defeat Ahead Of Crucial Return Leg

Nigeria’s U-23 national team, the Olympic Eagles, have suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of their second-round qualifying tie for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

According to Bush Radio Academy, the encounter took place in Lubumbashi on November 13, with the hosts securing a two-goal advantage ahead of the return fixture in Nigeria.

DR Congo opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Nigeria’s goalkeeper and captain, Samuel James, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. James failed to properly deal with a cross delivered into the penalty area, allowing the ball to find its way past him.

The hosts extended their lead in the 35th minute when Filozofe Mabete took advantage of uncertainty in Nigeria’s defence to bundle the ball into the net, making it 2-0.

The result leaves the Olympic Eagles with a difficult task ahead of the second leg, as they must overturn the two-goal deficit to keep their hopes of progressing in the qualification campaign alive.

Nigeria will welcome DR Congo to the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on November 17, 2026, for the decisive return fixture.

Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round to advance directly to this stage, while DR Congo booked their place after recovering from a 1-0 first-leg loss to Mauritania with a 2-0 victory at home.

The winner of the two-legged contest will progress to the final qualifying round scheduled for March 2027, where they will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso.

The 2027 U-23 AFCON tournament is scheduled to take place in Egypt and will also serve as the qualifying competition for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Nigeria missed the previous edition of the tournament in Morocco, consequently failing to secure a place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The country last participated in the U-23 AFCON in 2019 but did not advance beyond the group stage.

The Olympic Eagles’ only title in the competition came in 2015 in Senegal, when former coach Samson Siasia guided the team to continental glory.