The encounter is scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, with kick-off set for 2 pm Nigerian time. The match will be played behind closed doors due to security concerns.
The return leg will hold at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Tuesday, 17 November, with Nigeria seeking a positive result over the two legs to advance to the final qualifying round.
All 23 invited players and team officials arrived in Lubumbashi on Wednesday and held their first training session later that day. The team is scheduled to complete preparations with a final two-hour training session at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Thursday, beginning at 3 pm local time (2 pm Nigerian time).
Head coach Éric Chelle will not be present on the touchline for the encounter, as he is currently with the Super Eagles in Uyo for their qualifier against Tanzania. His assistants, Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe, will oversee the Olympic Eagles against the Congolese side.
The Nigerian squad comprises eight players from domestic clubs and 15 based abroad. Among the key players expected to make an impact are Molde midfielder Daniel Daga, Brighton’s Zadok Yohanna, Basel defender Victory Akpe and goalkeeper Michael Atata.
Nigeria secured an automatic passage into the second round, making Friday’s fixture their first outing in the qualifying campaign.
DR Congo, meanwhile, booked their place in this stage after overcoming Mauritania 2-1 on aggregate. They lost the first leg 1-0 away from home but recovered with a 2-0 victory in Lubumbashi, courtesy of goals from Filozofe Mabete and Candidat Mapendo.
The winner of the two-legged encounter will progress to the final qualifying round in March 2027, where they will face either Burkina Faso or Sierra Leone.
The 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations will be hosted by Egypt in November 2027 and will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the men’s football competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Only the two finalists will secure tickets to the Olympics.
Nigeria will be particularly eager to make a return to the competition after missing the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games.
The Olympic Eagles last featured at the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, where they claimed the bronze medal. Nigeria previously won Olympic football gold in 1996 and silver in 2008.
