Racing Genk defender Christian Akpan has called on Nigerians to support the Olympic Eagles as they begin their 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday.

Akpan is part of Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the two-legged second-round qualifying tie, with the first leg scheduled for the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Thursday, the young defender acknowledged the responsibility that comes with representing Nigeria and promised that the team would give its maximum effort on the pitch.

“We need the Nigerian fans to support us, and we will also try to give everything we can on the pitch, giving 100%,” Akpan said. 

“That’s all we can do to make Nigerians proud by qualifying for the 2027 U-23 Afcon,” he added. 

The Olympic Eagles arrived in Lubumbashi with their full squad on Wednesday and have completed their preparations for the opening encounter. 

Nigeria received a bye into the second round, while DR Congo progressed after overcoming Mauritania 2-1 on aggregate in the opening round. 

The Congolese side lost the first leg 1-0 away before recovering with a 2-0 victory at home to advance.

The Nigerian team will be guided from the touchline by assistants Deniran Ortega and Bright Ozebagbe, with head coach Éric Chelle in Uyo preparing the senior Super Eagles for their AFCON 2027 qualifier against Tanzania on the same day. 

The first leg in Lubumbashi is scheduled for Friday, November 13, with the return fixture set for November 17 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. 

The tie is a crucial step in Nigeria’s pursuit of qualification for the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt. The tournament will also determine Africa’s representatives at the men’s football competition of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. 

Nigeria last featured in the men’s Olympic football tournament at Rio 2016, where the team won bronze, after missing the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 editions. 

Akpan and his teammates will therefore be looking to take a major step towards ending that Olympic absence by securing a positive result in Lubumbashi before the return leg in Nigeria.