Financial dispute rocks DR Congo camp ahead of Nigeria return leg clash

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles could receive an unexpected lifeline in their bid to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo after reports emerged of a financial dispute within the Congolese camp.

According to BSN Sports, DR Congo’s U-23 players have reportedly refused to travel to Nigeria for Tuesday’s return leg of the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier over outstanding bonuses allegedly owed to them by the government.

The development has cast uncertainty over DR Congo’s participation in the decisive encounter at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, with the Leopards facing potential disciplinary consequences if they fail to honour the fixture.

However, there has been no official confirmation from the Congolese football authorities or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the team has withdrawn from the fixture or that any disqualification process has begun.

The reported crisis follows an earlier bonus dispute in the DR Congo U-23 camp, with captain Jules Ahoka also reported to have refused to train over unresolved financial issues ahead of the first leg in Lubumbashi.

DR Congo subsequently overcame Nigeria 2-0 at the TP Mazembe Stadium on Friday, putting themselves in a strong position to advance to the next stage of the qualifying campaign.

The Olympic Eagles now face the difficult task of overturning the two-goal deficit on home soil. Nigeria must score at least three unanswered goals to secure progression if the return leg goes ahead as scheduled.

The situation has therefore created a potentially dramatic twist in the tie, with Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 U-23 AFCON and ultimately the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, now dependent not only on their performance but also on developments within the DR Congo camp.

For now, the return fixture remains scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.