Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been dealt a blow ahead of their third-place match against Egypt at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, with two important players confirmed to be unavailable, Footynaija.com reports.
According to an official update posted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on X (formerly Twitter), first-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt and defender Odinaka Okoro will not be part of the squad for Sunday’s bronze medal game at the Cairo International Stadium.
The NFF stated that Harcourt is sidelined due to injury, while Okoro will serve a suspension.
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“Flying Eagles camp update: Two Flying Eagles’ players are ruled out of Sunday’s third place match against Egypt: first-choice goalie Ebenezer Harcourt (injury) and defender Odinaka Okoro (suspension),” the post read.
Harcourt has been a regular in goal throughout the tournament and has played a key role in Nigeria’s journey to the semi-finals.
In a report published earlier by Footynaija, it is understood that the injury he sustained and his subsequent substitution were major factors in Nigeria’s defeat in the semi-final.
His absence is expected to force a reshuffle in the goalkeeping department, with one of the backup shot-stoppers likely to step in for the clash against the Young Pharaohs.
Defender Okoro, on the other hand, has also featured prominently in Nigeria’s backline. The absence of the two Sporting Lagos players will now test the depth of coach Aliyu Zubairu’s setup as the team aims to finish the tournament on a high.
The Flying Eagles face Egypt in the third-place match after losing 1-0 to South Africa in the semi-final. Egypt also suffered a 1-0 defeat to Morocco. Both teams will be hoping to bounce back and finish their campaigns with a podium finish before heading to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
