AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles will take on DR Congo in Tuesday’s return leg without Brighton forward Zadok Yohanna and Molde midfielder Daniel Daga, a double blow for a team that needs a three-goal win to stay in the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations race.
The absences come at the worst time. The Olympic Eagles lost the first leg 2-0 in Lubumbashi on Friday, with Filozofe Mabete scoring both of DR Congo’s goals in the first half.
Nigeria must now win by at least three clear goals at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne to advance, or by two goals and then win a penalty shootout if the rules allow, so every attacking option counts.
Yohanna had already left the field injured in the first leg. The Brighton youngster came off in the first half and Umar Abdullahi replaced him, ending his afternoon early.
His absence now deprives the team of one of its most prominent European-based players.
Molde midfielder Daniel Daga played a full part in Lubumbashi and picked up a yellow card in the 70th minute as Nigeria’s frustration grew against a well-organised Congolese defence. The Molde midfielder’s absence strips Nigeria’s engine room of both creativity and experience.
Assistant coaches Bright Ozegbabe and Deniran Ortega, who led the team while Eric Chelle focuses on the Super Eagles’ double-header against Tanzania, must now reshape the squad.
Abdullahi, Peter Edokpolor, Sulaiman Sani and Abdulmuiz Adeleke are among the forwards that can be deployed on Tuesday.
The winner of the tie advances to a two-legged final round in March 2027 against either Burkina Faso or Zambia, with a place at the U23 AFCON in Egypt at stake.
DR Congo, meanwhile, has faced their own reported unrest in camp over unpaid bonuses.
