The Olympic Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations second-round qualifying first-leg encounter against the hosts.
All 23 invited players have reported to camp as the team intensifies preparations for the crucial fixture scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium.
The squad comprises seven players from the Nigeria Professional Football League and 16 foreign-based professionals, giving the coaching crew a full complement of players ahead of the encounter.
Assistant coach Deniran Ortega will lead the team for both legs of the qualifying tie in the absence of head coach Éric Chelle, who is currently occupied with the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
Ortega will be tasked with guiding the young Nigerians to a positive result away from home to improve their chances of progressing to the next qualifying round.
The Olympic Eagles will take on DR Congo in the first leg on Friday, November 13, before hosting the return fixture next Tuesday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Ogun State.
Nigeria will be aiming to secure an aggregate win over the Congolese and keep their qualification hopes on course.
The two-legged encounter is part of the qualification process for the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, with both countries seeking to advance to the final qualifying round.
The winner will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso in March 2027 for a place in the tournament.
