Nigeria’s Flying Eagles face a tough challenge at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn into Group B alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco in what has been described as the tournament’s ‘group of death.’
The competition, scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18, will see 13 teams battling for the continental title and four spots at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
CAF’s tournament format means that the top two teams from each of the three groups will advance to the knockout stage, alongside the two best third-placed teams. Advancement to the semi-finals will guarantee progress to the World Cup.
Between them, the Flying Eagles' group stage opponents have five U-20 AFCON titles between them – Egypt with four and Morocco with one. South Africa, the only team in the group yet to rule Africa at that age grade, have nevertheless achieved podium finishes twice.
Before the draw, Nigeria had been 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 go ahead.
If they proceed as planned, the games will serve as crucial preparation for Nigeria, which aims to fine-tune their squad ahead of the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria’s overall AFCON record at U-20 level
The Flying Eagles remain the most successful team in U20 AFCON history, having won the tournament a record seven times but have 13 podium finishes. Their dominance is reflected in their overall tournament statistics:
- Games played: 97
- Wins: 56
- Draws: 14
- Losses: 27
- Goals scored: 151
- Goals conceded: 90
Flying Eagles' U-20 AFCON titles and finishes
- 1983 – Champions
- 1985 – Champions
- 1987 – Champions
- 1989 – Champions
- 1995 – Third place
- 1999 – Runners-up
- 2005 – Champions
- 2007 – Runners-up
- 2009 – Third place
- 2011 – Champions
- 2013 – Third place
- 2015 – Champions
- 2023 – Third place
Aliyu Zubairu’s squad will be hoping to secure a record-extending eighth U20 title while also booking a return to the global stage.
