Cairo, Egypt — Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, the Flying Eagles, have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations following a thrilling 2-2 encounter against Kenya in their final Group B match.
The qualification was confirmed on Wednesday, with goals from Kparobo Arierhi and team captain Daniel Bameyi ensuring the Eagles earned the needed result.
According to match summaries, the Flying Eagles concluded the group stage with five points, placing them second behind Morocco, who secured the top spot with seven points after a decisive 3-1 win over Tunisia.
The outcome leaves Tunisia, on three points, hoping to progress as one of the best third-placed teams, while Kenya, who had lost their previous two matches, exited the tournament.
The game opened with a surprise as Kevin Injehu gave Kenya the lead from the penalty spot in the sixth minute. But the Eagles responded swiftly—just seven minutes later—with Arierhi leveling the score after capitalizing on a well-placed pass inside the box.
Moments later, Arierhi almost found the net again, only to be denied by the Kenyan goalkeeper. The Eagles also came close through Clinton Jephta and Ezekiel Kpangu, but neither could convert their chances before the break.
In the second half, both teams continued to threaten. The Kenyans briefly regained the lead in the 68th minute through William Gitama, but Bameyi made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after a Nigerian player was fouled in the box.
Late in the game, substitute Divine Oliseh had two opportunities to snatch the winner, including a 92nd-minute chance from close range, which he unfortunately fired over the bar.
With this result, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles advance with renewed momentum and confidence, setting their sights firmly on a successful knockout campaign.
By Enoch Odesola | March 5, 2025
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