Nigeria U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, secured third place at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shootout victory over host nation Egypt on Sunday night at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
The classification match ended 1-1 in regulation time before Nigeria triumphed 4-2 on penalties. This result marks the fourth time Nigeria has finished in third place at the U20 AFCON, with previous bronze medal wins in 1995 (as hosts), 2009 (Rwanda), and 2013 (Algeria).
Egypt struck early, taking the lead just under three minutes into the match. A long pass from Abdullah Boustenji found Mahmoud Hemida, who set up Omar Hassan to fire past goalkeeper Ajia Yakub.
The early goal prompted a response from Nigeria, with Clinton Jephta, Precious Benjamin, Sulyman Alabi, and Ezekiel Kpangu combining effectively in search of an equaliser.
The breakthrough came just before the 47th minute. Wing-back Adamu Maigari intercepted a poor pass from Mohamed Saadoun and quickly released Divine Oliseh, who in turn assisted substitute Bidemi Amole to level the score.
Nigeria had several chances to take the lead through Oliseh, Alabi, Ayuma, and substitute Tahir Maigana, but Egyptian goalkeeper Ahmed Waheb made key saves to keep the score level.
In added time, Egypt nearly regained the lead during a goalmouth scramble, but the ball ricocheted off a defender, struck the crossbar, then the upright before going out.
In the ensuing penalty shootout, Nigerian players Emmanuel Chukwu, Israel Ayuma, Kparobo Arierhi, and Tahir Maigana all converted their spot kicks. Substitute goalkeeper Rufai Abubakar saved two of Egypt’s three efforts, sealing the win for Nigeria.
The Flying Eagles had earlier reached the semi-finals after a penalty shootout win against Senegal, which also earned them a place in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.
