Flying Eagles Set for Bronze Medal Clash Against Hosts Egypt
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face hosts Egypt in the third-place match of the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, 18 May, at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Both teams will be aiming to finish the tournament on a high after suffering painful defeats in the semi-finals.
Nigeria lost 1-0 to South Africa in a closely fought match in Ismailia, missing out on a chance to reach the final. Egypt also fell by the same scoreline, losing to their North African rivals Morocco in front of their home fans.
The Flying Eagles had shown great promise in the tournament, especially with their quarter-final win over defending champions Senegal. But against South Africa, they failed to make their chances count. Tylon Smith scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute with a header from Neo Rapoo’s cross. Despite creating several chances, Nigeria were denied by solid defending and the brilliant form of South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe.
Aliyu Zubairu’s boys will now try to end the tournament on a positive note. The match also gives them a chance to repeat their earlier victory over Egypt, whom they beat 2-1 in a warm-up game before the competition. In that match, Kparobo Ariehi and Precious Benjamin were the scorers for Nigeria.
A win on Sunday would give Nigeria a record seventh third-place finish in U-20 AFCON history. The Flying Eagles have won bronze in 1979, 1981, 1995, 2009, 2013, and 2023.
Egypt, who have claimed third place three times (1993, 2001, and 2011), will also be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about. They were hoping to lift their fifth U-20 title on home soil, but now see this game as a final chance to restore pride.
Both Nigeria and Egypt have already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, so Sunday’s match is all about pride, history, and finishing strong.
The Flying Eagles will hope to break their recent run of semi-final heartbreaks — having also lost at that stage in 2019 and 2023 — and return home with a medal.
