Brighton winger Zadok Yohanna will play no part in Nigeria's second-leg qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo after sustaining an injury during the first fixture, ruling him out of the crucial return tie.

The 19-year-old was forced off the pitch during the first leg at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi, with the Olympic Eagles suffering a 2-0 defeat. Yohanna has since returned to England for medical assessment and treatment.

Steep task for the Olympic Eagles

Nigeria now face a daunting challenge — overturning a two-goal deficit in the second leg to stay alive in the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The winner of this two-legged tie will progress to the final qualifying round, where they will meet either Sierra Leone or Burkina Faso.

The stakes extend well beyond continental glory. The 2027 U-23 AFCON, which Egypt will host, will double as the qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, making every result in this campaign critical for Nigeria's Olympic ambitions.