Nigeria's Flying Eagles face Tunisia in U20 AFCON

Photo Credit - Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, will launch their campaign for an eighth U-20 African Cup of Nations title on Thursday as they clash with Tunisia’s Junior Carthage Eagles at the iconic 30 June Stadium in Cairo in the opening fixture of Group B.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu and his boys understand that they must take it game by game in their pursuit of glory.  Zubairu has highlighted the team's aims to continue on from their strong friendly form against host nation Egypt, who they defeated 2-1.

“That result has provided a good impetus for us as we prepare to face the Tunisians – another North African opposition. You need a result like that when you’re preparing for a competition like this. It does not mean that we will rest on our oars; it only serves to give us much-needed confidence and ginger us to face our challenges better. We will go for the maximum points against the Tunisians and then take it one step at a time as we forge ahead,” said Zubairu.

Kparobo Arierhi, who scored three goals at the recent WAFU B U20 Championship, and also the scorer of Nigeria’s opening goal against Egypt on Tuesday, leads the Flying Eagles’ attack.

Coach Zubairu will rely on Arierhi, alongside Germany-based talent Precious Benjamin and the home-based duo of Clinton Jephta and Divine Oliseh, to spearhead their offensive efforts and consistently deliver results against every opponent they face in the tournament.

These key players are expected to be instrumental in Flying Eagles quest for an Eighth U-20 AFCON championship.

Host nation Egypt, who are four-time champions with victories in 1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013, began their campaign with a 1-0 win against South Africa in their opening match on Sunday. Meanwhile, Group A witnessed a tightly contested affair between Zambia and Sierra Leone, ultimately resulting in a goalless draw.

All four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, taking place from 27th September to 19th October.

Who is in Nigeria's Flying Eagles squad at U20 AFCON 2025?

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia).

Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United).

Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United).

U20 Africa Cup of Nations Groups;

GROUP A: Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Tanzania

GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana