Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against their Egyptian counterparts, the Young Pharaohs, in a friendly match held at the Cairo International Stadium. This pre-tournament clash served as a crucial preparatory step for both teams as they geared up for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, a continental competition showcasing the best young footballing talents. The match, played on a Tuesday, saw Nigeria take an early lead, demonstrating their attacking prowess and setting the tone for an exciting encounter.
Kparobo Arierhi, a standout performer during Nigeria’s triumphant WAFU B title defense in October, continued his impressive form, netting the opening goal in the 10th minute. Arierhi’s strike, expertly set up by a precise pass from Bidemi Amole, showcased the team’s cohesive attacking play and ability to capitalize on opportunities. The early goal put Nigeria in the driver’s seat and forced Egypt to chase the game, creating a dynamic and engaging spectacle for the spectators.
Egypt, however, proved resilient and mounted a comeback in the second half. Ahmed Kaabaka, seizing upon a rare defensive lapse by the Nigerian team, found the back of the net in the 65th minute, bringing the score level. Kaabaka’s equalizer injected renewed energy into the Young Pharaohs and their home crowd, setting the stage for a tense final stretch of the match. The momentum shift underscored the competitive spirit of both teams and the high stakes of the upcoming tournament.
Nigeria responded to Egypt’s equalizer with determination and regained their lead in the 83rd minute. A foul on Divine Oliseh inside the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick for Nigeria. Precious Benjamin stepped up to take the spot-kick and calmly converted, restoring Nigeria’s advantage and ultimately securing the victory. Benjamin’s decisive penalty highlighted the team’s composure under pressure and their ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities.
The victory against Egypt served as a significant confidence booster for the seven-time African champions, who arrived in Cairo just two days before the friendly fixture. Having overcome the challenges of travel fatigue and acclimatization to secure a win against a tough opponent, the Flying Eagles shifted their focus to the upcoming tournament. The pre-tournament victory provided valuable insights into the team’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing the coaching staff to fine-tune their strategies and preparations for the group stage matches.
The Flying Eagles’ campaign in the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations commenced the following Sunday, with their first Group B match scheduled against Tunisia the next Thursday. Following the Tunisia clash, Nigeria faced Morocco and Kenya in their remaining group stage fixtures. Meanwhile, hosts Egypt, placed in Group A, began their tournament journey against South Africa, followed by matches against Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Tanzania. The stage was set for an exciting and competitive tournament, showcasing the future stars of African football.
