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Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles Aim for Three Points Against Junior Carthage Eagles
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria begins their quest for an eighth Africa U20 title on Thursday when the Flying Eagles face Tunisia’s Junior Carthage Eagles at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium. This match marks the opening of Group B.
Forty years ago, Carthage was the site where the Flying Eagles secured their second of seven African titles. Back then, the tournament used a two-legged system. Nigeria already qualified for the FIFA World Youth Championship in the USSR. They drew 1-1 in Tunis and won 2-1 at Surulere’s National Stadium.
Two years ago, Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles lost to Nigeria in the third-place match of the U20 AFCON, which Egypt hosted. Nigeria won that game 4-0.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu knows his team must focus on each game. They face tough competition, with reigning champions Senegal leading Group C, Egypt hosting and already earning three points, and Ghana, a four-time winner, also in the running.
Egypt, champions in 1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013, started strong with a win over South Africa. Zambia and Sierra Leone drew without goals.
Ghana faces a tough Group C. They must beat Senegal, Central African Republic—who knocked out Cameroon—and Democratic Republic of Congo to advance.
Nigeria needs to be cautious of Egypt despite their 1-0 win over them two years ago in Cairo. Nigeria’s only finals losses since the tournament switched from home-and-away matches were to host nations. They lost to Ghana in 1999 and to Congo in 2007. They beat Senegal in 2015.
Ghana previously won titles in 1993, 1999 (host), 2009, and 2021. Cameroon’s only win came when Nigeria hosted in 1995.
After their match with Tunisia, Nigeria will face Morocco, who hosted and won in 1997, at the same stadium.
Zubairu is pleased with his team’s mental state after beating Egypt 2-1 in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium just two days after arriving.
That win has boosted their confidence. It shows they can compete against northern African teams. They will still push hard in their upcoming matches.
“We aim to get all three points against Tunisia,” Zubairu said. “We will take it one game at a time.”
Kparobo Arierhi scored three goals at the WAFU B U20 Championship. He also scored the first against Egypt. Precious Benjamin, based in Germany, and hosts Clinton Jephta and Divine Oliseh are key players Zubairu plans to rely on.
Tunisia did not originally qualify but qualified later after Ivory Coast pulled out. All four semi-finalists will advance to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, to take place from September 27 to October 19.
