AFCON 2025
A pay dispute could keep DR Congo’s U23 players away from travelling to Nigeria for Tuesday’s return leg of the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Leopards have reportedly refused to travel until the federation settles bonuses owed for nine matches.
According to French-language outlet Tribunal Parlon Sport, the players are demanding payment before they board a flight to Nigeria. The report says they have dug in, and that the standoff could cost DR Congo the tie by forfeit if it drags on. However, the report has not been confirmed by the Congolese football federation (FECOFA), CAF or the players themselves.
The Leopards would not be lining up in Ikenne from a position of weakness after beating Nigeria 2-0 in the first leg in Lubumbashi on Friday, with Filozofe Mabete scoring both goals in the first half.
Reports in Nigeria said the first goal was contentious as goalkeeper Samuel James appeared to have been fouled in the box before the goal wa scored.
The result leaves the Olympic Eagles needing a win by three clear goals at the Remo Stars Stadium to stay alive in the race for the 2027 U23 AFCON and a place on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Meanwhile, If DR Congo fail to show up, Nigeria would advance without kicking a ball with a 3-2 aggregate scoreline.
Pay disputes are not new in Congolese football, and this one follows reports of unrest in the U23 camp before the first leg. The players apparently played that match without the issue being resolved.
Even if the dispute is settled and DR Congo travel, the build-up has been far from smooth for either side. Eric Chelle has had to split his attention between the U23s and the senior Super Eagles during a busy international week, and the team has to climb a big hill.
Nigeria’s players, coaches and fans will wait for FECOFA’s response in the coming hours. A resolution would set up a tense decider in Ikenne. A failure to resolve it could end the tie before kickoff.
The Olympic Eagles arrived Lagos on Sunday and will head to Ikenne to prepare for the second leg as they hope to overturn the two-goal deficit and continue the race to reach the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations next year.
