Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles will face either Mauritania or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after receiving a bye into the stage, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The draw was held in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, with Nigeria among 14 nations given a bye into the second round based on their performances in the last three editions of the competition.
Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo will meet in the first round, with the winner advancing to face Nigeria.
The first-round ties are scheduled for September 28 and October 6, while Nigeria’s second-round fixtures will be played on November 9 and 17, with the Olympic Eagles playing the first leg away from home. Related News Chukwueze faces Moreira battle for Milan role Moffi begins Hamburg training as club chief hails Nigerian Awoniyi opens Coventry goal account
If Nigeria progress, they will face the winner of the tie involving Burkina Faso and either Sierra Leone or Zambia in the third and final round, scheduled for March 22-30, 2027.
