2027 U-23 AFCONQ: Daga Out of Nigeria vs DR Congo Second Leg Tie

Nigeria was set to play without midfielder Daniel Daga in the second leg, second round of the 2027 U-23 AFCON against DR Congo in Ikenne on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Reports indicated that Daga’s Norwegian club Molde FK had made a formal request for his release, resulting in his return to the club. Consequently, he missed the crucial return leg against DR Congo, who had won the first leg 2-0 in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 11, 2026.

Also absent for the critical match was Zadok Yohanna, who was ruled out due to injury. Meanwhile, the U-23 Eagles, led by Bright Ozebagbe in the absence of Eric Chelle (who was with the Super Eagles), returned to the country and landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2026. The team planned to proceed to their base in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, ahead of their first training session.

The U-23 Eagles needed to overturn the 2-0 deficit against DR Congo to advance to the final qualifying round for the U23 AFCON in Egypt, which served as the qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.