Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles players have expressed confidence in their chances of defeating DR Congo ahead of Friday’s first-leg encounter in the second round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Brighton winger Zadok Yohanna, Benfica B forward Peter Edokpolor and Fulham’s Chibuzor Nwoko have all sent messages of assurance to Nigerians, promising to return home with a positive result from Lubumbashi.
Speaking ahead of the encounter in a video posted on the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) official social media pages, Yohanna assured Nigerians that the team would secure victory in both legs of the qualifying fixture.
“I’m assuring Nigerians that tomorrow, by God’s grace, we will defeat DR Congo. And we will beat them home and away. Keep us in your prayers,” he said.
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Edokpolor, who recently made his senior international debut for Nigeria and scored against Russia, also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome their Congolese opponents.
“I assure Nigerians that we’re coming home with victory,” the Benfica B forward said.
Meanwhile, Nwoko urged Nigerians to support the team as they look to secure an important result in the first leg.
“We’re going to win tomorrow. Please come support us,” he said.
The Olympic Eagles arrived in Lubumbashi on Wednesday with all 23 invited players in camp as they finalise preparations for the encounter under assistant coaches Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe.
The first leg will take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, November 13, with the return fixture scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
The winner over the two legs will advance to the final qualifying round for the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt, which will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Nigeria, champions of the continental competition in 2015, are targeting a return to the tournament after missing the 2023 edition.
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