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1. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles begin their quest for an eighth U20 Africa Cup of Nations title on Thursday when they take on Tunisia’s Junior Carthage Eagles at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
2. The Flying Eagles are the most successful team in the history of the competition, having lifted the trophy a record seven times. They have also finished as runners-up on two occasions and claimed four bronze medals, underlining their pedigree on the continental stage.
3. Coach Aliyu Zubairu will lead Nigeria into this year’s tournament. Zubairu was appointed following an impressive 2024 in which he guided El-Kanemi Warriors back to the Nigeria Professional Football League and went on to win the Federation Cup.
4. Nigeria head into the tournament as WAFU B U20 champions after beating Ghana 2-1 in last year’s final in Lomé, Togo — a victory that secured their place among Africa’s elite once again.
Throwback to 2015 when the Flying Eagles conquered Africa #U20Afcon. They start a new challenge on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/MbijBK2tKN
— The NFF (@thenff) April 30, 2025
5. Tunisia, meanwhile, did not initially qualify for the tournament after finishing behind Morocco and Egypt in their group. However, they were handed a late lifeline following the withdrawal of original hosts Côte d’Ivoire, who gave up their spot in the finals.
6. Nigeria and Tunisia first clashed at U20 level exactly 40 years ago in the final of the 1985 edition. Nigeria edged a tight two-legged affair 3-2 on aggregate to win their second title.
7. More recently, the Flying Eagles hammered Tunisia 4-0 in the third-place playoff at the 2023 edition, also held in Egypt.
8. While Nigeria are seven-time champions, Tunisia have never lifted the U20 AFCON trophy. Their best performance came in 1985 when they finished as runners-up to the Flying Eagles.
9. Tunisia’s current U20 side is managed by Abdelhay Ben Soltane, who was appointed in April 2025. The former AS Djerba boss took charge shortly after Tunisia were handed a surprise return to the competition.
10. Thursday’s Group A clash between Nigeria and Tunisia will be played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. Kick-off is scheduled for 4pm Nigerian time.
Flying Eagles’ Group B schedule at the U20 AFCON in Morocco
— Imhons Erons (@Imhons) April 20, 2025
May 1: Nigeria vs Tunisia – 6pm
May 4: Nigeria vs Morocco – 9pm
May 7: Nigeria vs Kenya – 6pm pic.twitter.com/1prnEhJc5k
24 FLYING EAGLES AT EGYPT 2025:
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)
Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)
Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)
