Cote d’Ivoire take commanding lead over DR Congo in Olympic qualifying

Cote d’Ivoire moved a step closer to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on Friday, 9 October 2026, with a 4-1 win against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the first leg of the second qualifying round.

The result at Stade TP Mazembe gives the Elephantes a three-goal advantage ahead of the return fixture and puts them in a strong position to progress in the Olympic qualification race.

Cote d’Ivoire must now protect that lead in the second leg if they are to continue their bid for a place at the tournament.

The return match will be played on Tuesday, 13 October, at 19:00 at Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will need to overturn the deficit on Cote d’Ivoire’s home ground to keep their Olympic hopes alive.