“Morocco, Beware!”: Nigeria’s Benjamin Precious sends defiant message ahead of U-20 AFCON clash

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria forward Benjamin Precious has delivered a bold warning to Morocco, asserting Nigeria’s confidence and readiness for the second Group B encounter at the Egypt 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo.

Fresh from a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their opening match, the Flying Eagles enter their second group game with momentum and belief. The win, secured by Auwal Ibrahim’s first-half strike, laid a solid foundation for Nigeria’s title ambitions in this year’s tournament.

Speaking during a pre-match media briefing, Benjamin acknowledged Morocco’s strength but was clear in his assessment of the matchup.

“They also won their first game. They are a very technical side, but we are stronger than that. We are sure of everything,” he said, radiating confidence.

The Moroccan side, who also picked up three points in their opener, pose a significant challenge, known for their tactical organization and flair. However, Benjamin believes the unity, discipline, and hunger within the Flying Eagles’ camp give Nigeria a critical edge.

“Our coaches are always telling us something. We remain focused, dedicated, and our eyes are on picking the qualification,” he added, praising the team’s mental preparation and cohesion.

The Flying Eagles’ tradition of excellence at youth level is well known, with Nigeria holding a record seven U-20 AFCON titles. Benjamin insists this legacy fuels the current squad’s determination to restore Nigeria’s dominance on the continental stage.

“We are determined to play this game and we are sure of victory. We are rated the best and better side anytime, any day,” he concluded.

With the eyes of the nation fixed on this crucial showdown, Benjamin’s message was clear: the Flying Eagles are not just participating—they’re coming for the title.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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