Nigeria have been handed a tough challenge at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after being drawn into Group B alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco a group already labelled the tournament’s ‘group of death.’
The competition, set to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18, will see 13 teams battle for continental glory and four coveted spots at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
A Clash of Giants
The Flying Eagles’ group-stage rivals bring a strong pedigree to the tournament, with Egypt (4 titles) and Morocco (1 title) combining for five U-20 AFCON trophies. South Africa, the only team in the group yet to win the tournament, has still managed to secure podium finishes twice.
Nigeria, however, remains the most successful team in U-20 AFCON history, boasting a record seven titles (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, 2015) and an impressive 13 podium finishes.
Despite their dominance, they face a challenging road ahead. Former Kwara United coach, Samson Unuanel, reacting to the draw, acknowledged the difficulty of the group but expressed confidence in the team’s potential.
“It’s a very tough group to have Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco, but I am optimistic that the players will be ready for the challenges,” he told Correct Sports.
The Flying Eagles secured their place in the tournament by winning the WAFU B Zone Championship but still have work to do.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has openly admitted that his team is still developing and lacks permanent tactical formations. His biggest concern? Defensive vulnerabilities.
“I’m somewhat dissatisfied with our defence; we were conceding goals consistently. This vulnerability cannot be overlooked on a larger stage” Zubairu stated.
With an eighth U-20 AFCON title and a return to the World Cup on the line, the Flying Eagles must find solutions fast.
The Road to the Knockout Rounds
The 2025 U-20 AFCON will feature three groups:
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will face off against DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Central Africa zone’s unidentified representative team in Group A.
Defending champions Senegal lead group C, which also includes Zambia, Kenya and Sierra Leone
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals.
What’s Next for Nigeria?
The Flying Eagles are scheduled to face Egypt’s U-20 team in back-to-back friendlies on February 25 and 27 in Cairo. However, with both teams now set to meet in the group stage, it remains unclear if those matches will proceed as planned.
How Far Can the Flying Eagles Go?
The challenge is set, and the Flying Eagles must prove they are still Africa’s best at this level. Will they rise to the occasion and conquer Group B, or will the ‘group of death’ prove too much?
Their journey starts now.
