National Teams
2025 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles edge junior Carthage Eagles in group opener
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s U-20 national team pipped their counterparts from Tunisia 1-0 to go top of Group B at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Auwal Ibrahim’s first-half goal separated both sides despite the North African’s late foray to get a leveler at the 30 June Stadium, Cairo.
In the 38th minute, Odinaka Okoro provided a pass allowing Ibrahim to go past Tunisian defence like a knife through butter before putting the ball into the bottom corner.
The repeat of last tournament’s third-place match went the way of the seven-time champions.
Tunisia did not originally qualify for these finals but sneaked through after original hosts Cote d’Ivoire pulled the rug on the Confederation of African Football with only weeks to the opening match.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side moved to the top of Group B with three points ahead of Morocco’s clash against Kenya.
Flying Eagles will face junior Atlas Lions in their next group game on May 4.
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, 27th September – 19th October.
