Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of their 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie played on Friday in Lubumbashi.
The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute after Samuel James inadvertently turned the ball into his own net before Filozofe Mabete doubled DR Congo’s advantage in the 36th minute.
Ikorodu City head coach Bright Osehai Ozebagbe and former Nigeria U-20 assistant coach Deniran Ortega handled the Nigerian side in the encounter.
Their involvement followed the absence of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who was with the senior national team for its first-leg fixture against Tanzania in Uyo, Anambra State.
The Nigerian side will have an opportunity to overturn the deficit when both teams meet for the second leg at the Remo Stars Stadium on Tuesday.
The 2027 U-23 AFCON will also determine the African representatives for the men’s football event at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.
