By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have begun preparations for their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The team held its first training session on Tuesday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, with head coach Éric Chelle overseeing proceedings.
A total of 28 players took part in the session as the team commenced preparations for the crucial second-round tie.
Rangers International trio Chimobi Igwilo, Kenneth Igboke and Chibueze Oputa arrived in camp later after featuring in the club’s CAF Champions League second preliminary round second-leg encounter against Algeria’s MC Alger.
The trio are expected to join their teammates in training on Wednesday, with the team scheduled to hold morning and evening sessions as preparations gather momentum.
The Olympic Eagles are expected to step up their training programme with all invited players in camp ahead of the two-legged encounter against the Congolese side.
DR Congo will host the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, 2026, while the return leg will take place on Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne.
The winner of the tie will advance to the final qualifying round, where they will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso for a place at the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.
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