Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are in a good position to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, following two solid group stage results.
With four points from two matches, head coach Aliyu Zubairu’s side are aiming to finish strong when they face Kenya in their final Group B fixture.
The Flying Eagles opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tunisia, thanks to a first-half goal by Auwal Ibrahiml. That result set the tone for a disciplined start to the tournament.
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In their second outing, Nigeria played out a goalless draw against Morocco, a game that showcased their defensive strength and organisation.
Based on the current standings, here is what Nigeria needs to secure a place in the next round.
1. A Win Against Kenya
Victory will guarantee Nigeria’s place in the quarter-finals, either as group winners or runners-up, depending on Morocco’s result against Tunisia. A win could also see the Flying Eagles top the group if Morocco fail to win.
2. A Draw Against Kenya
A draw will take Nigeria to five points, which would almost certainly see them through as one of the top two teams. If Morocco win their final match, Nigeria would finish second. If Tunisia win, Nigeria could still qualify based on goal difference.
3. A Loss to Kenya
This is a dangerous scenario. Nigeria would remain on four points and have to rely on goal difference or hope to be one of the two best third-placed teams across all groups. This would leave their qualification hanging by a thread.
It is important to also note that the top two teams from each group, and the two best third-placed teams, advance to the quarter-finals.
According to CAF’s official tournament rules, head-to-head record, goal difference, and goals scored are used to separate teams on equal points.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side will face Kenya on May 7, 2025, and the Flying Eagles know that a positive result will confirm their spot in the knockout rounds.
As reported earlier by Footynaija, the team has looked solid defensively, with captain Daniel Bameyi leading from the back and goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt has yet to concede.
With a clean sheet record and a determined squad, Nigeria will look to wrap up the group stage on a strong note and continue their push for an eighth U-20 AFCON title.
