Ugandan referee Duula Joshua has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate Friday’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying encounter between the U23 sides of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

Joshua will take charge of the first-leg clash at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi, with three fellow Ugandans completing the match officiating team.

Brianson Musisi has been appointed first assistant referee, while Katerega Ashiraf will serve as second assistant referee. William Oloya has been named the fourth official.

CAF has appointed Central African Republic’s Jean Marie Koyakobo as match commissioner, while compatriot Alain Brice Letokouzou will serve as referee assessor. 

The appointments were confirmed ahead of the crucial second-round first leg, with Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles arriving in Lubumbashi on Wednesday for the encounter. 

The match is scheduled for Friday, November 13, with kick-off at 3pm local time in Lubumbashi, corresponding to 2pm Nigerian time. 

Nigeria received a bye in the opening round of the qualifiers, while DR Congo advanced after eliminating Mauritania 2-1 on aggregate.

The two teams will battle over two legs for a place in the final qualifying round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The return fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. 

The U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will also serve as the continental qualifying competition for the men’s football tournament of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding further importance to the two-legged contest.

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles will be hoping to secure a positive result in Lubumbashi before returning home for the decisive second leg.