Nigeria off to winning start at U-20 AFCON

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Nigeria's U-20 national team kickstarted their 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt with a narrow 1-0 win over Tunisia at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium. A first-half strike from Auwal Ibrahim was the difference as the Flying Eagles edged the Young Carthage Eagles.

Tunisia started the match with a major onslaught as they tried to take the lead through the brilliance of Rayane Anane. Anane headed inches wide in the eighth minute from a corner kick. The attack by the North Africans served as a quick nudge for Nigeria to get back into the tie, as Kparobo Arierhi tested Tunisian goalkeeper Thomas Zouaghi later on in the first half.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Ibrahim collected a pass at the edge of the box and struck a composed low finish to give the Flying Eagles the lead. Tunisian star Khalil Ayari was brought down inside the box close to halftime but after a VAR intervention, the referee determined no penalty.

After the resumption, Nigeria opted for a much more cautious approach. They were handed a penalty in the 72nd minute but VAR intervened once again to rule against it. Tunisia should have restored parity two minutes before time when Anis Doubal was found unmarked in the box, but his shot was denied by Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

The opening day of Group B concludes with a clash between Morocco and Kenya. Nigeria will battle to maintain group supremacy when they face Morocco in their next match on Sunday. Tunisia will clash with Kenya on the same day for their second group stage game.