Nigeria must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in Ikenne to reach the final qualifying round.
Brighton winger Zadok Yohanna will miss the return leg of the Olympic Eagles' second qualifying round tie against DR Congo at the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, after an injury in the first leg in Lubumbashi.
Nigeria lost that match 2-0 at the TP Mazembe Stadium. The hosts got on the board in the 20th minute, though the circumstances surrounding the goal were contested. Nigeria goalkeeper Samuel James appeared to have been fouled in the build-up, but the referee let play go on and the goal stood. Felozefe Mabete doubled the lead just before half-time with a well-struck free-kick.
Nigeria had created early chances but failed to convert them. The Olympic Eagles are coached by Bright Osehai Ozebagbe, alongside former Nigeria U-20 assistant Deniran Ortega, and they could not find a way through a well-organised Congolese defence after the break.
Yohanna was making his first start for the U-23 side. About ten minutes after DR Congo's opener, he was forced off with an injury around the half-hour mark. He had missed Brighton's last nine Premier League matches before travelling for international duty, which raised questions about whether he was ready to start in Lubumbashi.
He was absent from the Saturday morning recovery session with his teammates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the group had assembled, which signalled he was still bothered by the knock. Reports say he was expected to fly back to England that Saturday night for a full assessment by Brighton's medical staff. Complete Sports says he has returned to England for further medical assessment and treatment, which rules him out of the return fixture, and the Daily Post reports the same.
Nigeria must now win in Ikenne by at least three goals without conceding to progress on aggregate, or by two clear goals to force a penalty shootout. The task is steep, but it is not mathematically impossible.
The winner of the tie will face either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso in the final qualifying round.
Yohanna was also named 80th on the top 100 list of the 2026 Golden Boy rankings, joining youngsters such as Lamine Yamal, Estevao Willian and Ethan Nwaneri.
Egypt will host the 2027 U-23 AFCON, which also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
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