U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Set to Face Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria will now face Morocco, Kenya, and Tunisia in the group stage of the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18 this year.

During a redraw held at the Egypt Football Association headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt and South Africa, who were initially placed in Nigeria’s group before Côte d’Ivoire withdrew as the tournament host, were reassigned to Group A.

As the new hosts, Egypt leads Group A, which consists of five teams, including Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Similar to the original draw, the Flying Eagles will compete against two North African teams—Tunisia and Morocco—as well as East African representative Kenya, all vying for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Defending champions Senegal will lead Group C, facing the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana.

After returning to Abuja from a three-week training camp in Katsina, the seven-time African champions are expected to travel to Egypt this week for an eight-day final preparation before the tournament begins.

All four semi-finalists from the tournament in Egypt will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, taking place from September 27 to October 19.

GROUP A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania

GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco

GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana