Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have suffered a significant setback ahead of their decisive 2028 Olympic Games qualifying encounter against DR Congo, with Daniel Daga and Zadok Yohana unavailable for Tuesday’s second leg in Ikenne.
The Nigeria U23 team arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Sunday afternoon following their 2-0 first-leg defeat in Lubumbashi, leaving them with a difficult task in the return fixture.
Both players will miss the crucial encounter after failing to rejoin the squad.
Yohana has been released to return to his Premier League club, Brighton & Hove Albion, following an injury, while Daga was also excused after his club requested his release from international duty.
Their absence further depletes the Olympic Eagles’ options as they prepare for a fixture that could determine the fate of their Olympic qualification campaign.
Nigeria suffered a 2-0 defeat in Friday’s first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, with DR Congo establishing a commanding advantage through two first-half goals.
The result leaves the Nigerian side needing a convincing response on home soil to remain in contention for the next stage of the qualifying series.
The Olympic Eagles must win by at least three clear goals to overturn the aggregate deficit and progress.
A two-goal victory would take the contest level on aggregate, with the tie then subject to the applicable extra-time and penalty provisions.
The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, with kick-off set for 4pm Nigerian time.
The stakes are considerable, as the winners will advance to the final qualifying round, where a place at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt will be contested.
The tournament will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway to the men’s football event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Nigeria, who last featured at the Olympics in Rio 2016, are seeking to return to the competition after missing the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 editions.
With Daga and Yohana unavailable and a two-goal deficit to overcome, the Olympic Eagles face a demanding assignment in Ikenne as they attempt to keep their Olympic dream alive.
