Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have arrived in the city of Ismailia, ahead of Monday’s CAF U20 Cup of Nations quarter-final match, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
Nigeria reached the quarter finals of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship in Egypt despite having to force Kenya’s Rising Stars to a 2-2 draw in the last match of group B on Wednesday.
The Flying Eagles finished second on the table with five points, two behind group leaders Morocco, who drilled Tunisia 3-1 in the other match.
Seven-time champions Nigeria will take on their opponents, who will emerge on Thursday night for the quarter-final game on Monday, against the second-placed team in group C.
Group C is made up of title-holders Senegal, bitter rivals Ghana, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has acknowledged Nigeria’s performance in their 2-2 draw against Kenya was far from convincing — but insists reaching the quarter-finals of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations remains the priority, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria was twice forced to come from behind against a spirited Kenyan side in their final Group B fixture at the 2025 tournament in Cairo on Wednesday.
The result secured second place for the seven-time champions, behind Morocco, who beat Tunisia 3-1 in the group’s other game.
Speaking after the match, Zubairu admitted the Rising Stars had pushed his team to the limit.
“It was not an easy match, the Kenyans have played two games previously which they lost. They came all out so that they don’t leave the competition without getting a win. That’s why the game was difficult. All this same, it was a good game,” said Zubairu.
“Many Nigerians will be disappointed” – Zubairu admits Flying Eagles must improve after nervy Kenya draw
He acknowledged fans’ disappointment but stressed that progression was key.
“I want to correct an impression, of course many Nigerians will be disappointed with the result because of the opposition but what is important is for us to get to the next stage, which is the quarter-final.”