Nigeria’s Olympic football team has been drawn to face the winner of the first-round tie between Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

The draw was conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday as preparations intensify for the continental tournament in Egypt.

CAF confirmed that the 2027 U-23 AFCON will also serve as the qualifying competition for the men’s football event at the 2028 Olympic Games. Blueprint reports

Nigeria handed second-round tie

Nigeria is among the teams that will enter the qualifying campaign at the second-round stage and will await the outcome of the first-round encounter between Mauritania and DR Congo.

The winner of that tie will advance to face Nigeria in a two-legged second-round contest, with the aggregate winner moving closer to securing a place at the 2027 U-23 AFCON.

The first round features 28 teams competing in two-legged ties, with 14 winners advancing to the second round where they will meet the teams that received byes.

Road to Egypt and Olympic qualification
The 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in Egypt, with the hosts automatically guaranteed a place in the tournament.

The qualifying competition will produce the remaining seven teams that will join Egypt at the finals.

The tournament is particularly significant because it will also determine Africa’s representatives at the 2028 Olympic Games, making qualification a major target for Nigeria’s Olympic team.

Nigeria will therefore have to negotiate the second-round hurdle before moving into the final stage of the qualification race.

Mauritania or DR Congo awaits

Mauritania and DR Congo are among the teams involved in the opening phase of the qualifiers.
CAF’s regional draw procedure placed both countries in the first pot alongside other teams from the UNAF and WAFU regions.

The first-round ties are scheduled to be played over two legs, meaning Nigeria will have the opportunity to study the eventual winner before beginning its own second-round campaign.

The identity of Nigeria’s opponent will be confirmed after the completion of the Mauritania-DR Congo tie.

Olympic ticket at stake

For Nigeria, the qualification campaign carries additional importance following the country’s long-standing pedigree in Olympic football.

The Nigerian men’s team won the Olympic gold medal at Atlanta 1996 and has also secured silver and bronze medals at previous editions of the Games.

With the 2027 U-23 AFCON serving as the pathway to the 2028 Olympics, the Nigerian team will be aiming to return to the global stage and challenge for another Olympic appearance.

The second-round encounter against either Mauritania or DR Congo will therefore represent an important early test in Nigeria’s bid to reach Egypt and ultimately secure an Olympic qualification ticket.