Olympic Eagles confident of victory in DR Congo Olympic qualifier

Nigeria U23 invitees Zadok Yohanna, Chibuzo Nwoko and Peter Edokpolor believe the Olympic Eagles can defeat DR Congo and take a significant step towards qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria’s U23 side face DR Congo in Lubumbashi on Friday in the first leg of a qualifying tie for the Olympic football tournament. The teams are competing for a place at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, United States.

Yohanna said the Olympic Eagles were targeting victories in both matches and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the squad with their prayers.

“Tomorrow by God’s grace we will win our game,” Yohanna said.

“We would win both legs. I am assuring Nigerians that tomorrow by God’s grace we will beat DR Congo. We would beat them home and away. Keep us in prayers.”

Edokpolor, who plays for Benfica, was similarly confident that Nigeria would return from Lubumbashi with a first-leg victory.

“I assure Nigerians that we are coming home with the victory,” Edokpolor said.

Fulham midfielder Nwoko also called on supporters to back the team before the important encounter.

“I play for Fulham, we are going to win tomorrow. Please come support us,” Nwoko said.

The Olympic Eagles must overcome DR Congo across the two legs to remain on course for qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria last competed in the men’s Olympic football tournament at Rio 2016. Under the guidance of Samson Siasia, the team won the bronze medal by beating Honduras 3-2 in the third-place match.

Qualification would end Nigeria’s absence from the men’s Olympic football competition after the country missed the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 editions.