AFCON U-20: Decision day for Nigeria as Flying Eagles face Mozambique hurdle while the nation head to the polls
Nigeria’s U-20 male team the Flying Eagles will today face Mozambique in it’s last group game of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. Same day compatriots back home will vote in the country’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The game vs Mozambique will determine Nigeria’s fate at the Egypt 2023 U-20 AFCON. A win or draw will secure Nigeria a place in the Last-8 while defeat could be fatal.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: Saturday Febuary 25, 2023
Venue: Suez Canal Stadium, Ismaila, Egypt
Kick-off Time: 6pm (Nigerian time)
HEAD TO HEAD
Nigeria and Mozambique have never met at U-20 level.
HOW THINGS STAND IN GROUP A
First placed Senegal have already qualified for the quater-finals with six points following wins over Nigeria and Mozambique.
Nigeria occupy second spot with 3 points from the 1-0 win over hosts Egypt.
Egypt and Mozambique occupy third and fourth place respectively with a single point from their opening day goalless draw at the Cairo International stadium.
As it stands, Nigeria, Egypt and Mozambique all have a chance of progressing to the quater-final.
For Nigeria, a win or draw vs Mozambique will do. Defeat to Mozambique will mean Seven-time Africa U-20 Champions Nigeria will swap spots with their less fancied opponents.
Egypt face a make or mar encounter vs already qualified Senegal knowing only a win will see them through to the next round.
HOW MANY TEAMS WILL QUALIFY FROM THE GROUPS
The 12 participating teams were split into three groups of four. The two best placed teams and two best-placed third place teams will qualify for the quater-finals.
Ahead of the final round of group stage matches, South Sudan and Egypt are the best third-placed teams.
NIGERIA VS MOZAMBIQUE: OUR PREDICTION
On the strength of Nigeria’s pedigree in age-grade Competitions plus the performance vs Egypt in the last group game, we tip the Ladan Bosso tutored Flying Eagles to win and secure a quater-final place.
