Nigeria's Olympic Eagles open their 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against DR Congo at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi today, Friday, with the hosts' camp rocked by a bonus dispute on the eve of the match.
DR Congo captain Jules Ahoka reportedly refused to train over unpaid bonuses, with talks between the players and their federation continuing into the build-up, BSNSports reported via The Sun.
- First leg today in Lubumbashi; the return holds Tuesday, November 17, in Ikenne-Remo
- Eric Chelle misses both legs due to the clash with the Super Eagles' Tanzania fixtures
- Brighton's Zadok Yohanna has promised Nigerians victory home and away
Why Chelle will not be on the Olympic Eagles bench
Chelle, who doubles as U-23 head coach, named the 23-man squad but is committed to the senior team's AFCON 2027 qualifying double-header against Tanzania on the same dates.
Assistant coaches Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe will take charge of the Olympic Eagles for both legs against DR Congo.
Nigeria received a bye in the first qualifying round, so this tie is the first hurdle on the road to the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt, which will decide Africa's representatives at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic football tournament.
Zadok Yohanna promises victory in both legs
The squad blends home-based players with a European contingent, including Benfica's Peter Edokpolor, Al-Qadsiah's Sulaiman Sani, Famalicao's Umar Abubakar and Brighton's Zadok Yohanna.
In an NFF video ahead of the match, Yohanna assured Nigerians the team would beat DR Congo home and away, and asked fans to keep the team in their prayers. The first leg is expected to be played behind closed doors on security grounds.
What happens next
The return leg holds on Tuesday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. The aggregate winner advances to the final qualifying round for Egypt 2027.
Credit: The Sun, Sports Village Square and Footy Naija reports, November 9-13, 2026.
Follow @newstweetnaija on Instagram for the day's biggest stories.
