Nigeria Avoids Hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Defending Champions Senegal in U20 AFCON Draw

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria’s Under-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have been drawn in a favorable position for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage, ensuring they will avoid both hosts Côte d’Ivoire and defending champions Senegal in the initial round of the tournament.

As top seeds, Nigeria, alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, will be kept apart in the group stage, setting the stage for thrilling matchups as the competition unfolds.

The draw has placed Congo, Egypt, and Zambia in Pot 2, while Ghana, DR Congo, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania occupy Pot 3.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed finishers, will advance to the quarterfinals.

The 2025 U20 AFCON, set to take place from April 28 to May 18, will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the U20 FIFA World Cup 2025 in Chile, with the semifinalists earning automatic spots in the global competition.