CAF has named a full Ugandan officiating team and Central African match officials for the U-23 AFCON qualifier, although Nigeria’s sports commission wants the tie moved from Lubumbashi amid Ebola concerns.
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Ugandan referee Duula Joshua has been appointed to take charge of the first leg between Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles and DR Congo in the second round of the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers. He will be assisted by fellow Ugandans Brianson Musisi and Katerega Ashiraf, while William Oloya will serve as fourth official.
CAF has also named Central African Republic officials Jean Marie Koyakobo as match commissioner and Alain Brice Letokouzou as referee assessor. The first leg is scheduled for the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 13, and the return leg follows at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Tuesday, November 17.
The stakes are high for Nigeria, because the aggregate winner reaches the final qualifying round of a tournament that doubles as Africa’s route to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Head coach Eric Chelle is also in charge of the Super Eagles, who play Tanzania in the same international window, and fans who follow both teams can look at Bet9ja’s promotion for international football.
Ebola Concerns Hang Over The Tie
The match is surrounded by a health debate. Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) wrote to CAF on October 29 asking for the first leg to be moved from TP Mazembe Stadium because of the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo. Reports put the outbreak at more than 10,000 cases, with more than 5,300 deaths.
CAF’s appointment of match officials suggests the fixture is still scheduled for Lubumbashi, but no decision on the NSC’s request has been reported. Readers should expect further updates before the Olympic Eagles travel.
Chelle has been preparing his squad in Ogun State. He invited 31 home-based players to report on October 25, and 23 players and 11 officials were in camp as of November 2. The team’s first friendly against Remo Stars ended in a draw.
The Road To LA 2028
Nigeria received a bye in the first round, so this is their first competitive test, while DR Congo reached the second round by eliminating Mauritania over two legs. Fans who like to learn how offers work can read the Bet9ja referral code guide ahead of the first leg.
Nigeria have been absent from the last two men’s Olympic football tournaments, and Chelle has been asked to end that wait. Reaching the final qualifying round would keep that goal alive, although the 14 second-round winners will still have to win seven further two legged ties to join hosts Egypt.
The officiating team comes from neutral countries, which is standard for CAF competitions. In a tight first leg away from home, consistent refereeing will matter to both sides.
The coming days will show whether the tie stays in Lubumbashi and whether the Olympic Eagles travel as planned. New Bet9ja users can check Bet9ja’s YOHAIG new customer offer while they wait for updates.
📌 Did You Know?
- Nigeria received a bye in the first round, while DR Congo beat Mauritania over two legs to reach the second round.
- Fourteen second-round winners go into the final qualifying round, where seven two-legged ties decide the remaining nations that join hosts Egypt.
- Chelle’s 31 invited home-based players reported to the AM2PM Hotel in Ijebu-Ode on October 25.
- The Olympic Eagles’ first friendly of this camp, against Remo Stars in Ikenne, ended in a draw.
- Nigeria missed the last two men’s Olympic football tournaments.
