Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic 2-2 draw against Kenya in their final Group B match on Wednesday.
The match, played under high stakes, saw early drama as Kenya—winless before the game—shocked the Flying Eagles with a sixth-minute penalty goal by Kevin Injehu. However, Nigeria responded quickly. Just seven minutes later, striker Kparobo Arierhi brought the game level after latching onto a clever pass and calmly slotting the ball past the onrushing Kenyan goalkeeper.
The second half brought more twists. Kenya reclaimed the lead in the 68th minute when William Gitama finished off a set-piece with a clinical strike at the far post. But the Flying Eagles weren’t done yet. Captain Daniel Bameyi stepped up just four minutes later to convert a penalty and bring Nigeria back on level terms.
The draw sees Nigeria finish second in Group B with five points, just behind group leaders Morocco, who topped the table with seven points after a commanding 3-1 victory over Tunisia in the day’s other match.
With Tunisia ending the group stage on three points, they now face an anxious wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
