Nigeria U23 head coach Bright Ozebagbe has declared his team’s readiness for their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying clash against DR Congo, insisting that the players will settle the contest through their performances on the pitch, Bold Sports reports.
The Nigerian side travels to Lubumbashi for Friday’s first-leg encounter, with Ozebagbe emphasising the importance of consistency across both matches. The coach believes the outcome will depend on performances over the two legs rather than the advantage of playing at home.
Ozebagbe focuses on Nigeria’s preparation
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Lubumbashi, Ozebagbe stressed that football outcomes are determined over 90 minutes.
He dismissed the suggestion that playing at home or away necessarily determines a team’s chances of winning. Instead, he highlighted the importance of maintaining a consistent level of performance throughout the tie.
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The Nigeria coach also addressed questions about his knowledge of DR Congo’s U23 team. However, the Ikorodu City FC manager explained that his attention had remained on preparing his players for the upcoming challenge.
Ozebagbe’s message was clear: Nigeria intend to do their talking on the pitch.
DR Congo coach targets first-leg advantage
Meanwhile, DR Congo U23 head coach Guy Bukasa has outlined his ambition to secure a convincing home victory against Nigeria.
Bukasa draws confidence from his team’s previous qualifying encounter against Mauritania. DR Congo overturned a 1-0 first-leg defeat away from home with a 2-0 victory in the return fixture.
That result secured their progression into the second qualifying round, where they now face Nigeria.
Despite acknowledging the quality of the Nigerian side, Bukasa remains optimistic about his team’s chances. He believes home advantage and the support of their fans can help DR Congo secure a positive result.
Nigeria and DR Congo confirm qualifying schedule
The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Nigeria will host the return fixture at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Both teams understand the importance of the opening encounter as they pursue qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
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