Olympic Eagles draw with Remo Stars as DR Congo qualifiers approach

Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles began their warm-up matches for the next stage of Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations qualifying with a 0–0 draw against Remo Stars on Saturday, 31 October 2026. ACLSports and AllNigeriaSoccer reported the result from Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. It was a friendly, not a qualifying match.

Éric Chelle’s locally based selection started with Michael Atata in goal and Aderemi Adeoye as captain, according to ACLSports’ match report. Abdulmuiz Adeleke led the attack. The outing gave members of the domestic-league group a match together as preparations continued for the November fixtures against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both goalkeepers contributed to the score remaining unchanged. ACLSports reported that Remo goalkeeper Emmanuel Olisa denied Adeleke, while Atata stopped a late long-range effort from Taiwo Cole. Chelle also made substitutions during the game. Those opportunities and changes were part of a completed practice match; they do not establish who will start the competitive tie.

A goalless friendly gives a coaching staff material to review without resolving the questions that matter in qualification. Nigeria kept the opposition out but did not score. That is the measurable outcome. It would be premature to turn one preparation result into a forecast of success or failure against a different opponent over two legs.

The schedule previously announced by the Nigeria Football Federation, and carried by Voice of Nigeria on 23 October, puts the away leg against DR Congo at TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi on 13 November. The return is scheduled for Ikenne on 17 November. The winners will reach the final qualifying round for the 2027 Under-23 AFCON in Egypt, rather than qualify directly for the Olympics.

That continental tournament is intended to determine Africa’s representatives in men’s football at Los Angeles 2028. Nigeria’s Olympic football honours include gold in 1996, silver in 2008 and bronze in 2016. The present team still has qualifying stages to negotiate before it can pursue another medal. Saturday’s draw belongs to that preparation process, with the competitive outcome still undecided.