Nigeria has been drawn into a challenging Group B at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco
The tournament is set to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18 and will also serve as the qualification event for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, billed for September 27 to October 19.
A Familiar Foe and Tough Opponents
This is the second consecutive edition in which Nigeria will face Egypt in the group stage.
The Flying Eagles edged the Young Pharaohs 1-0 in the last edition, which was hosted by Egypt in 2023.
However, this time, Nigeria will also have to contend with two strong sides in South Africa and Morocco, both of whom have been formidable in youth competitions.
Former Malian player Adama Coulibaly, who assisted with the draw at CAF headquarters in Cairo, acknowledged the difficulty of the group, stating, “There is no doubt that the toughest group is Group B, which has Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco.”
Expectations for the Flying Eagles
Nigeria enters the tournament as one of the favorites, having finished third in the last edition held in Egypt.
The Flying Eagles, led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, will be aiming to start strong in Ivory Coast to build confidence for the demanding fixtures ahead.
Their rich history in the competition, winning titles in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015, makes them one of the teams to watch. Additionally, they qualified for the tournament by winning the WAFU-B U20 Championship in Togo last October, defeating Ghana’s Black Satellites 3-1 in the final.
To prepare for the tournament, Coach Zubairu has invited 30 players to camp, with two friendly matches lined up against Egypt on February 25 and 27 in Cairo.
The squad includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and 11 forwards, ensuring a balanced team capable of competing at the highest level.
Tournament Format and Path to Qualification
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams across all three groups, will advance to the quarter-finals.
This means every game in Group B will be crucial, given the high level of competition.
Hosts Ivory Coast will compete in Group A with DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-determined team from the Central Africa zone.
Defending champions Senegal lead Group C, accompanied by Zambia and debutants Kenya and Sierra Leone.
With a tough road ahead, the Flying Eagles will need to show resilience and tactical discipline to navigate the group stage and push for another AFCON title.
Their past performances on the continental and global stage prove they have what it takes to compete, but they must be at their best to succeed in what is being called the toughest group of the tournament.
