The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has turned to a familiar face from the Golden Eaglets’ 2015 World Cup triumph as the Olympic Eagles prepare for a two-legged test against the Democratic Republic of Congo that could bring Nigeria a step closer to returning to Olympic men’s football, Footynaija.com reports.
Prince Sunday Udofia has been appointed team coordinator of the U23 side, having held the same position with Nigeria’s U17 team when they defended their FIFA World Cup title in Chile. That campaign ended with a 2-0 victory over Mali in the final, as second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye secured Nigeria’s fifth title in the competition.
Udofia’s return comes at a different stage of Nigeria’s football calendar. The Olympic Eagles have not featured in the men’s football tournament at the Olympics since Rio 2016, where Nigeria won bronze. Their immediate task is to negotiate the U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying rounds, which also form part of the route towards the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
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The federation has also appointed sports journalist Niyi Busari, owner of BSN Sports, as the team’s media officer. Both officials are expected to work with the squad as it resumes camp in Ijebu-Ode.
According to the NFF, Nigeria will face DR Congo in the first leg at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on Friday, 13 November, before hosting the return leg at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday, 17 November.
The stakes extend beyond this two-match contest. The winner will advance to the final qualifying round for the 2027 U23 AFCON in Egypt, where Africa’s representatives for the Los Angeles Olympics will emerge.
Nigeria have a proud Olympic football history, having won gold at Atlanta 1996, silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016. However, that record offers no guarantee in the present campaign. The Olympic Eagles must first overcome DR Congo before they can move closer to ending their decade-long absence from the Games.
Udofia’s experience with a World Cup-winning youth setup now becomes part of that effort, while Busari takes charge of the team’s media responsibilities as preparations gather pace.
