Flying Eagles Soar into U-20 AFCON Quarter-Finals After 2-2 Draw with Kenya.
Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Kenya’s Rising Stars in their final Group B fixture.
Despite needing only a point to progress, the seven-time champions were made to sweat in a tense encounter at the Cairo International Stadium.
Kenya twice took the lead, but the Flying Eagles showed resilience to claw back both times and earn the draw that confirmed their place in the knockout round.
The result sees Nigeria finish second in Group B with five points—two adrift of group leaders Morocco, who defeated Tunisia 3-1 in the group’s other final match.
As runners-up, the Flying Eagles now face a quarter-final clash against the second-placed team from Group C on Monday in Ismailia, with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM local time (1 PM Nigerian time).
Match Recap
Kenya stunned Nigeria early, taking the lead just five minutes in after Kevin Wangaya converted a penalty awarded for a handball in the box.
The Flying Eagles responded swiftly through Kparobo Arierhi, who slalomed past the Kenyan defence to fire home the equalizer in the 12th minute.
However, the East Africans continued to press, and in the 68th minute, a lapse in Nigeria’s defence allowed William Otieno to slam home from close range after connecting with Lawrence Mwendwa’s teasing in-swinger.
Once again, Nigeria showed their fighting spirit.
Five minutes after falling behind, they won a penalty of their own when substitute Mendos Rickson was fouled in the box.
Captain Daniel Bameyi stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot kick to bring the score level at 2-2.
What’s Next?
With the draw, Nigeria avoid a potentially tougher matchup and will travel to Ismailia to face the Group C runners-up.
Group C features defending champions Senegal, bitter rivals Ghana, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—all vying for spots in the next round.
The Flying Eagles, who have won the U-20 AFCON a record seven times, will be hoping to tap into their tournament pedigree as they aim for an eighth continental title and a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria, by this victory, will now travel to the city of Ismailia for their quarter-final game on Monday, against the second-placed team in Group C.
Group C, for your information, is made up of title-holders Senegal, Nigeria’s bitter-rivals, Ghana, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Flying Eagles Soar into U-20 AFCON Quarter-Finals After 2-2 Draw with Kenya. THE END.
