Flying Eagles eye 100th match milestone as Nigeria, Morocco rekindle 2005 U-20 rivalry

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, the Flying Eagles, are on the verge of history as they prepare to play their 100th match in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they take on Morocco in a decisive Group B clash on Sunday night in Cairo.

The fixture is more than just a group-stage encounter—it revives one of the most dramatic rivalries in tournament history, dating back to their unforgettable meeting in the 2005 U-20 AFCON semi-finals. That pulsating match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time, with Nigeria eventually edging Morocco 5-3 in a penalty shootout to book their place in the final.

In that classic encounter, Mouhssine Iajour gave Morocco an early lead in the 11th minute before Nigeria’s Solomon Okoronkwo equalized shortly after the break. Iajour struck again in extra time, only for Victor Obinna to draw Nigeria level with a dramatic 114th-minute goal—setting the stage for a tense shootout triumph.

Now, 20 years later, both teams return to the continental stage with renewed ambition. Morocco, buoyed by growing investments in youth football and a solid opening win, pose a formidable challenge. But the Flying Eagles, backed by their proud legacy of seven U-20 AFCON titles, are equally determined to extend their winning start after defeating Tunisia 1-0 in their opener.

Sunday’s match not only represents a significant milestone—the 100th U-20 AFCON match in Nigeria’s history—but also an opportunity to take a commanding position in Group B, with both teams tied on three points after their respective opening victories.

Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT) at the Cairo International Stadium, and anticipation is mounting across Nigeria as fans look forward to seeing the Flying Eagles write another chapter in their storied history.