The Flying Eagles have given themselves a significant confidence boost ahead of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, recording a 2-1 win over host nation Egypt’s Young Pharaohs in a warm-up friendly at the Cairo International Stadium. Kparobo Arierhi opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 10th minute, courtesy of a well-weighted pass from Bidemi Amole. Ahmed Kaabaka equalized for Egypt midway through the second half, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse. However, Precious Benjamin restored Nigeria’s lead with a calmly converted penalty in the 83rd minute after Divine Oliseh was fouled inside the box.¹
This victory is a morale booster for the seven-time African champions, who arrived in Cairo just 48 hours prior to the match. The win will undoubtedly galvanize the team as they gear up for the tournament proper, which kicks off on Sunday. The Flying Eagles begin their Group B campaign against Tunisia on May 1, followed by matches against Morocco and Kenya.
Tournament Expectations
Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s side boasts a talented squad, featuring players like goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, captain Daniel Bameyi, dynamic midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo, and lethal forwards Kparobo Arierhi and Precious Benjamin. With a mix of homegrown talent and overseas stars, the Flying Eagles aim to reclaim their continental dominance and secure a spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
“We’re not just here to compete; we’re here to dominate,” seems to be the Flying Eagles’ mantra, given their impressive display against Egypt. Their Group B fixtures promise to be thrilling, with Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya providing stiff competition. Meanwhile, hosts Egypt will face South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Tanzania in Group A.² ³
The Road to Chile
The Africa U-20 Cup of Nations serves as a qualifying platform for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, with the top four teams securing a spot. With their eyes on the prize, the Flying Eagles will look to build on their momentum from the friendly win over Egypt. As they take on the best of Africa’s youth football talent, their campaign will undoubtedly captivate fans and inspire hope for a successful outing on the global stage.
The 24-man squad, led by Bameyi, has been training hard in Cairo, fine-tuning their game plan under the Egyptian sun. With Zubairu’s blend of grit and flair, the Flying Eagles are poised to soar to new heights and make a lasting impression in the tournament.