Nigeria's U-23 men's team, the Olympic Eagles, lost 2-0 to DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday in the first leg of their CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie.
DR Congo scored twice in the first half at the TP Mazembe Stadium, leaving Nigeria needing a big comeback in Tuesday's return leg.
- DR Congo scored in the 15th and 36th minutes, both goals amid controversy
- Nigeria must win the return leg by at least three goals to advance outright
- The return leg is on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne
How the Olympic Eagles fell in Lubumbashi
Nigeria started brightly and created early chances but failed to convert them — and were punished.
The opening goal in the 15th minute sparked controversy: reports say the assistant referee initially indicated the ball had not crossed the line before the centre referee overruled him and awarded the goal, credited to Filozofe Mambete.
The second goal, in the 36th minute, came from a goalmouth scramble that Nigerian players also disputed. Some reports credit Mambete again; others record the first goal as an own goal by goalkeeper Samuel James — the reports agree on the scoreline and the disputed nature of both goals.
Nigeria's frustration showed in bookings for Emmanuel Godwin and Daniel Daga, and forward Zadok Yohanna was forced off injured in the first half.
What the result means for Nigeria
The U-23 AFCON is the qualifying route for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic football tournament, so elimination here ends the Olympic dream early.
Nigeria entered this round with a bye; DR Congo advanced after overturning a first-leg defeat against Mauritania.
Read also: https://newstweetnaija.com/post/olympic-eagles-face-dr-congo-in-lubumbashi-as-bonus-row-rocks-hosts-camp">Olympic Eagles face DR Congo in Lubumbashi as bonus row rocks hosts' camp
What happens next
The return leg holds on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
The Olympic Eagles need at least three unanswered goals to go through without extra time — a task that demands a far sharper attacking performance than Friday's.
Credit: BusinessDay and The Sun reports, November 13-14, 2026.
Follow @newstweetnaija on Instagram for the day's biggest stories.
