Get Guardian on GoogleOlympic Eagles dare DR Congo, in Lubumbashi
Today is a busy day for Nigeria’s top two national teams, as the race for both the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics continues across the continue across the continent.
In the AFCON race, the Super Eagles are in a three-pointer they know they cannot afford any slip-up in the current international window if they are to keep their campaign on track for next year’s finals to be jointly-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Super Eagles came from behind to defeat Madagascar’s Barea at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on September 25, but then suffered a 0-3 reverse against Guinea Bissau four days later to put their chances of a spot in the finals on the wire.
However, earning the maximum six points against Tanzania – in Uyo today and in Zanzibar on Tuesday – would re-ignite high hopes of a place in the Pamoja finals, depending on how Madagascar cope in the clash against Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs in their own quickfire-double.
Head Coach Éric Chelle and Captain Wilfred Ndidi have reiterated the need for the three-time African champions to obliterate their loss to Guinea Bissau with a credible six-point grab against the Taifa Stars.
“We must work hard in these two matches and do everything to win. It is important to sustain the hope and all the players are in that mood to banish the memory of that defeat to Guinea Bissau and show their true quality.
“The spirit in camp is high and everyone is focused on achieving victory in both matches,” Chelle said.
Former junior international Benjamin Fredricks, Chibuike Nwaiwu and Abdullahi Ibrahim Bewene provide exciting options for Coach Chelle at the rear, while the presence of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Samson Tijani and Tochukwu Nnadi could mean a fresh-look midfield for the Super Eagles.
The Super Eagles will again be without ace forward Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury in a Turkish league game with his club Galatasaray, days before Chelle unveiled his roster for the two matches.
In his absence, the Franco-Malian tactician will most likely rely on the combined strength of Atletico Madrid’s Ademola Lookman, Italy-based Akor Adams and Ajax Amsterdam of The Netherlands’ Tolu Arokodare, who has netted 13 goals across the Dutch League and the UEFA Conference League this season.
Veteran Moses Simon, who plays his club football in France like Tanzania’s most experienced and dreaded striker Mbwana Samatta, is one of the on-field marshals that Nigeria will look to for inspiration today.
Simon Msuva, Selemani Mwalimu and Bernard Kamungo are the other aces that Taifa Stars’ Argentine Coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi will rely on to deliver at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
After today’s encounter, both teams will again square up to each other on Tuesday at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar, which is part of Tanzania.
The players in Coach Eric Chelle’s camp ahead of the double header are goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); and Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa).
The defenders are Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); and Abdullahi Bewene (Banik Ostrava, Czechia).
Vying for spots in the midfield are Skipper Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA); Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympic Marseille, France); Samson Tijani (FK Podbrezova, Slovakia); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); and Mubarak Suleiman (SK Slavia Prague, Czechia), while the attackers are Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); and Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria).
Meanwhile, Olympic Eagles Head Coach, Bright Ozebagbe, has expressed confidence in his players ahead of their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying encounter against DR Congo, insisting that the team will let their performance on the pitch do the talking.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, Ozebagbe stressed that football is decided over 90 minutes and that playing at home or away does not necessarily determine the outcome of a match. The Nigeria coach maintained that consistency across both legs would be crucial, noting that a team’s ability to perform well over the two encounters would ultimately determine who progresses to the next round.
Reacting to a question on what information he has gathered about the DR Congo U23 side, the Ikorodu City FC coach explained that his primary focus had been on preparing his players for the challenge rather than being distracted by the opposition.
Meanwhile, DR Congo U23 head coach, Guy Bukasa, has declared his ambition to secure a convincing victory over Nigeria and put his team in a strong position to advance to the next round. Bukasa drew confidence from his side’s performance against Mauritania in the previous qualifying round.
The DR Congo recovered from a 0-1 first-leg reverse away from home to secure a 2-0 victory in the return leg, booking their place in this second round.
While acknowledging the strength of the Nigerian team, Bukasa expressed optimism that his players could capitalise on home advantage and the support of their fans to secure qualification at Nigeria’s expense.
The first leg encounter is scheduled to take place at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, with Nigeria set to host the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
Nigeria travelled to DR Congo with 23 players, including goalkeepers Samuel James (SJK FC, Finland); Clinton Andy (Rivers United); and Michael Atata (Ikorodu City).
The defenders in the squad are Christian Akpan (Genk FC, Belgium); Victory Akpe (FC Basel, Switzerland); Vince Osuji (Tromsø IL FC, Norway); Emmanuel Godwin (Pardubice FC, Czechia); Odinaka Alfred (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ochobi (Rivers United); and Aliu Sugau (Barau FC), while the midfielders are John Otomewo (Reims FC, France); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Wilfred George (Kristiansund FC, Norway); Chibuzor Nwoko (Fulham FC, England); Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City); Sadiq Saleh (FC Metta, Latvia); and Victor Samuel (Pardubice FC, Czechia).
The attackers are Peter Edokpolor (SL Benfica, Portugal); Sulaiman Sani (Al-Qadsiah FC, Saudi Arabia); Umar Abubakar (FC Famalicao, Portugal); Zadok Yohanna (Brighton FC, England); Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Kralove, Czechia); and Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme).
