Nigeria’s Olympic Games-bound U23 team will begin their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round.
Following the qualification draw, Nigeria will face the winner of the first-round tie between Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nigerian side must overcome that hurdle to advance to the final qualifying round, where they will meet the winner of the tie involving Burkina Faso and either Sierra Leone or Zambia.
Nigeria will need to emerge victorious from the two-legged final qualifying round to secure a place at the U23 AFCON, which will be hosted by Egypt.
The tournament will also serve as the qualification pathway for the Olympic Games, with Africa’s top U23 sides battling for places at the global event.
