Nigeria has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Kenya in their final Group B game on Wednesday at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
Goals from striker Kparobo Arierhi and captain Daniel Bameyi ensured the Nigerians picked up the crucial point needed to seal qualification.
The result sees the Flying Eagles finish second in the group with five points, behind Morocco, who secured top spot with seven points after a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side entered the clash knowing a draw would be enough to progress, but they were made to work for it by a spirited Kenyan team already eliminated from the tournament.
Kenya took an early lead just six minutes into the game when Kevin Injehu converted from the penalty spot following a defensive error.
However, Nigeria responded quickly. In the 13th minute, Arierhi latched onto a through ball and calmly finished past the advancing Kenyan goalkeeper to level the score.
Arierhi nearly doubled his tally four minutes later, but his effort was well saved.
At the other end, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was called into action, pulling off a fine stop to deny the Kenyans a second goal before the break.
Kenya restored their lead in the 68th minute when William Gitama tapped in a low cross from a set piece at the back post, silencing the Nigerian bench.
But just four minutes later, the Flying Eagles responded once more. A foul inside the Kenyan box gifted Nigeria a penalty, which was confidently converted by Bameyi to make it 2-2.
The draw sees Nigeria progress to the quarter-finals unbeaten, with one win and two draws.
However, the game also marked the first time they conceded in the competition.
Tunisia, who finished third with three points, will now wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
According to the CAF schedule, Nigeria, as Group B runners-up, will face the second-placed team in Group C in the quarter-finals.
