Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and host nation Egypt’s Young Pharaohs will face off in the third-place match of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, both teams aiming to salvage bronze medals after semi-final disappointments.
Despite being favored to reach the final, both seven-time champions Nigeria and four-time winners Egypt fell short in their semi-final clashes.
Nigeria, who claimed the title in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015, lost to South Africa, while Egypt, champions in 1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013, were edged out by Morocco. The two sides now meet in the “losers’ final,” with each having secured bronze three times previously.
The teams have a storied history, notably Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Egypt in the 2005 final in Cotonou, where the late Isaac Promise scored both goals. Nigeria’s past bronze-medal wins include a 1-0 victory over Mali in 1995, a 2-1 triumph against South Africa in 2009, and another 2-1 win over Mali in 2013. Egypt’s bronze successes came against Ethiopia in 1993 (3-0) and 2001 (2-0), and Mali in 2011.
Two years ago, Nigeria defeated Egypt 1-0 in a group-stage match, with Solomon Agbalaka’s header sealing the win. Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu, frustrated by Thursday’s loss to South Africa, may shuffle his lineup. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt’s fitness remains uncertain, pending a final assessment at Saturday’s training.
Meanwhile, Morocco and South Africa will contest the final, a rematch of the 1997 decider won 1-0 by Morocco. Both Nigeria and Egypt will look to end their campaigns on a high note in this fiercely contested bronze-medal clash.