Nigeria’s U-20 team have completed their group stage campaign at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, advancing to the quarter-finals unbeaten, Footynaija.com reports.
The Flying Eagles finished second in Group B with five points from three matches, showing a mixture of control, character, and quality.
Here’s a full breakdown of their group performance, standout ballers, top goals, and unforgettable moments.
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Group B Match Recap
The Flying Eagles kicked off their campaign with a confident 1–0 win over Tunisia on 1 May. Auwal Ibrahim struck in the 38th minute to hand Nigeria all three points, with the team producing a composed performance in defence. Their second match on 4 May against Morocco ended goalless, a tense tactical battle where both sides nullified each other.
The final group game on 7 May against Kenya produced drama, ending 2–2. Kparobo Arierhi levelled in the 13th minute after Kenya’s early penalty. After falling behind again in the second half, Nigeria earned a penalty, which captain Daniel Bameyi converted in the 73rd minute to seal a hard-fought draw.
Nigeria’s group stage results:
Nigeria 1–0 Tunisia (Auwal Ibrahim 38’)
Nigeria 0–0 Morocco
Nigeria 2–2 Kenya (Kparobo Arierhi 13’, Daniel Bameyi 73’ pen)
They finished second in Group B, two points behind group leaders Morocco (7).
Flying Eagles’ Standout Ballers
Daniel Bameyi
Bameyi led by example. He stayed composed under pressure and took responsibility with a crucial equalising penalty against Kenya. His positioning and good reading of the game have stood out in all three matches.
Kparobo Arierhi
Arierhi is developing into a reliable option up front. He scored Nigeria’s opener against Kenya and looked lively in the attack. His awareness and movement in the box have been sharp.
Auwal Ibrahim
Scored the match-winner against Tunisia with a fine strike. He has offered pace, pressing, and a constant threat on the counter.
Ifeanyi Harcourt
A calming presence between the sticks, Harcourt made smart saves across all three matches. His clean sheet against Morocco was particularly important.
Top Goals and Moments
- Auwal Ibrahim’s composed finish against Tunisia gave Nigeria a strong start to the campaign.
- Daniel Bameyi’s penalty under pressure against Kenya showed leadership and mental strength.
- Kelvin Arierhi’s instinctive finish highlighted his attacking awareness.
- The comeback against Kenya after trailing twice showed the team’s fighting spirit.
- The goalless draw with Morocco may not have been flashy, but it was a tactical win in terms of discipline and organisation.
