Nigeria vs Tunisia Preview: Flying Eagles seek record fourth U20 Afcon bronze

Nigeria U20 men’s national team will go head-to-head with Tunisia in the battle of Eagles for a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) on Friday, March 10 at the Cairo International Stadium.

The Flying Eagles failed to survive against the Young Scorpions of Gambia in their semifinal clash after losing 1-0.

Meanwhile, the Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia were completely outclassed by Senegal with three unreplied goals as they bowed 3-0 to the Young Terraga Lions.

Despite missing out on the final place, the West and North African sides will be among the four nations to represent the continent at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia later in May.

Going into the losers final encounter, the seven-time champions are enjoying the favourites tag, having won three out of five games in the ongoing competition, while Tunisia had only one win in regulation time.

The Carthage Eagles lost the third-place match at the 2021 edition to Gambia and would be keen to finish on a high against the Flying Eagles who they were runners-up to in 1985. Both teams are no strangers to each other at this level of age grade tournament.

Nigeria and Tunisia first met in the second round of the African Youth Championship in 1981, with the West Africans claiming victory with a 5-4 aggregate win over two legs, before meeting again in the final of the 1985 tournament, with Nigeria winning after beating the North Africans 3-2.

The Flying Eagles are three-time Bronze medalist and will hope to return home with a record fourth third place prize.