Kenya’s Rising Stars face a formidable challenge as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, seven-time champions, target a celebratory win in their 100th U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match in downtown Cairo.
The Group B clash, set for 4 p.m. Nigeria time, holds high stakes for both sides in the ongoing CAF U20 Championship.
Nigeria, second in Group B with four points, need only a draw to secure a quarter-final spot, while Kenya require a significant victory to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
The Rising Stars have struggled in Cairo, falling 3-2 to Morocco in a thrilling opener and losing 3-1 to Tunisia on Sunday. A win against Nigeria, a historically dominant opponent, would be a monumental upset for the Kenyans.
The tournament, featuring 19 teams across three groups, advances the top two teams from each group and the best two third-placed sides to the quarter-finals. Nigeria’s path is clear: a draw ensures progression, while a win could see them top Group B, depending on the Morocco-Tunisia result. Morocco, with four points, lead the group, while Tunisia hold three points.
Kenya’s record against Nigeria is daunting, with no competitive victories in decades of encounters. Nigeria have consistently triumphed, including 3-0 and 3-1 wins in 1985 World Cup qualifiers, 3-0 and 2-1 victories in AFCON group stages in 1988 and 1992, and a 3-0 win in Lagos to qualify for the 1998 World Cup. More recently, Nigeria secured home and away wins to reach the 2010 World Cup and dominated Olympic qualifiers in 1996.
As the Flying Eagles prepare to mark their milestone match, they aim to maintain their supremacy and advance with flair. For Kenya, the match is a chance to defy history and reignite their campaign.