The second round of the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2027 qualifiers kicks off on Wednesday, 11 November, with 27 nations competing for 14 places in the final qualifying round. Among the headline ties, Nigeria take on DR Congo and Ghana face Libya in fixtures that carry enormous weight — not only for the continental tournament but also for Africa's pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Nigeria and DR Congo clash in Lubumbashi

Nigeria's Olympic Eagles travel to Lubumbashi for the first leg against DR Congo on Friday, 13 November (13h00 GMT), before hosting the return in Ikenne on Tuesday, 17 November (15h00 GMT). The tie is one of the most compelling of the round, pitting two of Africa's most storied football nations against each other at under-23 level.

Nigeria have named a 23-man squad that includes midfielder Daniel Daga, goalkeeper Michael Atata, and forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke. For DR Congo, coach Guy Bukasa has called up 26 players, though injury concerns surrounding Faveurdi Bongeli, Messy Manitu, and Yohan Mboko have disrupted preparations ahead of the tie.

Nigeria — who claimed Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 — are aiming to end a two-edition absence from the Games, adding further urgency to their campaign.

Ghana's Black Meteors bank on European talent

Ghana's Black Meteors open their second-round campaign away to Libya in Benghazi on Wednesday (17h00 GMT), with coach Desmond Ofei leaning on a squad packed with European-based players. Barcelona B's Aziz Issah leads the foreign contingent, joined by David Oduro of Annecy, Real Madrid II's Oscar Frimpong, and Swansea City's Joseph Opoku.

Libya arrive at this stage having beaten Togo 4-1 on aggregate in the first round, making them a credible threat to a Ghanaian side that has not featured at the Olympics since 2004. The return leg takes place in Accra on 17 November (15h00 GMT).

Senegal travel to Juba, Kenya face Côte d'Ivoire

Senegal make the journey to South Sudan on Wednesday (13h00 GMT) with coach Serigne Saliou Dia naming a squad containing 15 foreign-based players, among them Antoine Junior Wenck of Rio Ave and Ibrahima Cissé of Gent.

Kenya, who eliminated Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate in the opening round, host Côte d'Ivoire on Wednesday (12h00 GMT). Coach Anthony Kimani will be without suspended midfielder Kelly Madada and injured defender Joseph Bate, though Aldrine Kibet and Kevin Wangaya have been included in the squad.

Further ties across the continent

Morocco face Ethiopia, Cameroon meet Rwanda, and Tunisia take on Gabon in ties that carry their own significance. Burkina Faso versus Zambia and Zimbabwe's meeting with Mali also promise to be tightly contested affairs.

Equatorial Guinea's withdrawal from their fixture against Niger means Niger advance to the third round without playing a match, reducing the number of on-pitch ties this round to 13.

The winners of each tie advance to the final qualifying round in March 2027, where Africa's seven representatives at the Egypt 2027 finals — alongside hosts Egypt — will be determined.