Zadok Yohanna has pulled out of Tuesday’s return leg match against DR Congo in Ikenne and returned to Premier League club Brighton.
Zadok was forced out of the first leg in Lubunbashi due to injury.
He has now headed back to England for medical care.
The U23s will therefore have to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg if they hoped to progress to the final playoffs to the U23 AFCON to be hosted by Egypt next year.
The U23 AFCON will serve as qualifying tournament to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
