Two Eagles, one Friday — the Olympic Eagles are in Lubumbashi for a behind-closed-doors DR Congo qualifier
Photo: The Olympic Eagles training in Lubumbashi · Photo: Extra Sports Nigeria (photo: NFF Media)
Nigeria's U-23 side arrived in DR Congo on Tuesday for Friday's first-leg U-23 AFCON qualifier at TP Mazembe Stadium — played behind closed doors on security grounds, with their coach in Uyo.
Key points
- Nigeria's Olympic Eagles (U-23) have arrived in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, for Friday's first-leg U-23 AFCON qualifier against the hosts at the TP Mazembe Stadium — played behind closed doors on security grounds.
- All 23 invited players arrived on Tuesday: seven from the Nigeria Premier Football League and 16 foreign-based, including Brighton's Zadok Yohanna and Daniel Daga.
- Head coach Éric Chelle has handed the team to assistants Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe because of the fixture clash — he will be in Uyo with the senior team on Friday.
Nigeria's Olympic Eagles (U-23) have arrived in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, for Friday's first-leg U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the hosts at the TP Mazembe Stadium — a match that will be played behind closed doors on security grounds.
All 23 invited players arrived on Tuesday: seven from the Nigeria Premier Football League and 16 foreign-based, including Brighton's Zadok Yohanna and Daniel Daga.
Head coach Éric Chelle, who also coaches the Super Eagles, has handed the team to assistants Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe because of the fixture clash — he will be in Uyo with the senior team on Friday.
The return leg is on Tuesday 17 November at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne. The tie is Nigeria's route to the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games; the winner faces Burkina Faso or Sierra Leone next.
Because the first leg is behind closed doors, there is no broadcast for fans to watch — NewsFlux will report the result from the closed stadium.
Why this matters
Two Nigerian national teams play qualifiers on the same Friday, 2,000 km apart, with one coach split between them — and the U-23 game is behind closed doors, which is itself a talking point.
Latest developments
First published 12 Nov 2026, 08:43 WAT.
Related coverage on NewsFlux:
- One day to Tanzania — full house in Uyo, must-win stakes, and the stadium gets its first LED boards · 10 Nov 2026, 08:38 WAT
- CONFIRMED: Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo as Arokodare's eight-minute brace settles must-win tie · 13 Nov 2026, 19:26 WAT
- CONFIRMED: Manchester United announce Pochettino as new manager — takes charge 18 November, first game is Liverpool at Anfield · 12 Nov 2026, 19:18 WAT
Sources
- Punch — Olympic Eagles step up prep in Congo ahead of qualifier (12 Nov 2026)
- The Nation — LA 2028 qualifier: full-strength Olympic Eagles hit Lubumbashi for DR Congo test
- Naija News — Olympic Eagles arrive DR Congo for U-23 AFCON qualifier (11 Nov 2026)
- Ademola Sports — Official details as Éric Chelle hands over Olympic Eagles to assistants ahead of DR Congo qualifiers
The first leg is behind closed doors on security grounds — do not promise fans a broadcast. Squad is 7 NPFL + 16 foreign-based (one report says 8 home-based/15 foreign — use the 7+16 split from the NFF-linked reports).