Nigeria to face Tunisia in Group B opener as CAF releases full tournament schedule

By Dayo Awoniyi

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the full schedule for the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with Nigeria set to kick off their campaign against Tunisia on May 1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

The 17th edition of the continent’s premier youth tournament will run from April 27 to May 18, 2025, across three Egyptian cities: Cairo, Ismailia, and Suez.

Thirteen nations will compete for continental glory and qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, are drawn into a competitive Group B alongside Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco.

Their opening match against Tunisia is scheduled for an 18:00 kick-off, followed by the group’s second fixture between Kenya and Morocco at 21:00 on the same day and venue.

CAF confirmed that the tournament will follow a three-group format. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed sides, will progress to the quarter-finals.

The four teams that reach the semi-finals will automatically book their tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Full Group Stage Draw:

Group A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania
Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco
Group C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

The Flying Eagles, coached by Aliyu Zubairu, will be aiming to secure their eighth continental title and a strong showing in Chile, having last won the tournament in 2015.

CAF is expected to release the full match schedule for the knockout stages in the coming weeks, with anticipation already building for what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.