Morocco got their U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025, campaign off to a winning start with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Kenya in Group B on Thursday night at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

The North Africans had to come from behind twice before securing the win in a pulsating contest that swung from end to end and showcased the raw intensity of youth football on the continent.

Kenya, making their first appearance at the U20 AFCON since 1979, began the match brightly and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Lawrence Ouma rose highest to head home Kevin Injehu’s pinpoint free kick, sending the Kenyan bench into wild celebrations.

However, Morocco struck back just before the break. A scramble in the box saw Yassir Zabiri pounce with a well-placed finish that was eventually confirmed by VAR after initial doubts over a potential infringement. The equaliser sent the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

The second half brought even more drama. Just ten minutes after the restart, Zabiri doubled his tally with a sharp header from close range to give Morocco the lead.

But the Kenyans weren’t done yet. Their vibrant forward play paid off in the 71st minute when Hassan Beja rifled in a shot from the centre of the box following clever link-up play with Aldrine Kibet, levelling the scores at 2-2.

Morocco, unfazed, kept pressing and reclaimed the lead in the 78th minute. Reda Laalaoui latched onto a clever pass from Saad El Haddad and slotted past the keeper with composure to make it 3-2.

There was late drama when Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but Othmane Maamma’s effort was saved by Kenyan keeper Baron Ochieng to keep hopes alive.

Kenya pushed for a third equaliser and came agonisingly close in stoppage time when Aldrine Kibet’s header struck the post. But Morocco held on for three crucial points to go top of the group after Matchday 1.

For Kenya, there were plenty of positives to take despite the defeat, particularly in attack, where they showed fearlessness and creativity.

Morocco, meanwhile, showed composure and experience in key moments and will be confident going into their next match.

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As Group B of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations took off on Thursday, Tunisia, which lost 1-0 to Nigeria, continued its winless streak against West African opposition at this level. The no-win streak stretches back to 1987.

For the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, who are seeking their eighth African title, they got off to a winning start and also maintained a tradition of scoring in every encounter with Tunisia. Thursday’s match is the sixth of such instances.

But on a Labour Day, they laboured to a 1-0 win in an encounter played at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Thursday.

A first-half strike by Auwal Ibrahim was all that separated the two sides, as the Flying Eagles ground out a result in a match full of physical battles, near misses, and late drama.

Despite Nigeria dominating early proceedings and carving out several chances, they found a resilient Tunisian side determined to hold their ground.

 But in the 38th minute, Odinaka Okoro’s well-weighted assist found Ibrahim, who made no mistake from close range to put Nigeria in front.

The North Africans responded with urgency, nearly drawing level through Omar Ben Ali and Anis Doubal, but Nigerian goalkeeper and defenders held firm.

Tunisia’s best chance came in the 87th minute, but Doubal’s strike was smothered in the centre of the goal.

Nigeria’s energy in midfield, driven by Divine Oliseh and Clinton Jephta, helped them control long spells of the match, although the second half was scrappier and more littered with fouls.

The game saw six yellow cards shared evenly between the teams, a sign of its growing intensity.

Tunisia, semi-finalists in 2021 and 2023, pushed hard in the final minutes with a flurry of corners and shots from distance, but could not find a way through Nigeria’s defensive line marshalled by Daniel Bameyi and Adamu Maigari.

The result gives Nigeria three vital points in a group that also includes Morocco and Kenya, while Tunisia now faces added pressure heading into their next match.

Nigeria, the most decorated team in U-20 AFCON history with seven titles, have now extended their unbeaten run in tournament openers to eight of their last ten appearances.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles open their Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations account this evening as they file out against Tunisia, a team that has always fallen prey to Nigeria’s firepower.

In five previous encounters dating back to 1981, Nigeria won three and lost just once and drew one. In all instances, Nigeria always score.

In those encounters, Nigeria scored a massive 12 and twice beat Tunisia 4-0 in 1981 and 2023.

If the facts of both teams’ previous encounters, as well as their performances in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, are key determinants, the odds weighed overwhelmingly in Nigeria’s favour.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are nine-time finalists and the most successful team at the finals with seven titles.

They were champions in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015.

Egypt 2025 is their 19th appearance in 23 editions. They missed out on qualification only four times in 1993, 2001, 2017 and 2021.

The Flying Eagles in their previous 18 qualifications have reached the semi-finals at least 16 times. They have exited in the group stage only twice in 1993 and 2001.

Nigeria finished in the top three position 15 times and only ended fourth once in 2019. However, they have never won the tournament in North Africa. Egypt 2025 is where they hope to break the apparent jinx.

Their good run in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations has seen them have just one loss in their last 11 group stage games (W8 D2). Their defeat against Senegal in their opening game in 2023 is their only loss.

In their last 10 tournament appearances, the Flying Eagles have won their opening game seven times. They have lost twice, to Mali in 2013 and Senegal in 2023, both 1-0 losses. They also drew with Mali 0-0 in 2001.

For Tunisia, the last qualifiers, whose appearance was a direct result of Côte d’Ivoire pulling out, this is their third consecutive qualification.

 Their best finish is asrunners-up to Nigeria in 1985, and they will feature in a finals tournament hosted by a fellow North African side for the first time.

Tunisia reached the semi-finals at the last two finals they have featured at, finishing fourth in 2021 and 2023.

They reached the semi-finals in 2023 despite failing to win their first two games, beginning with a 1-0 loss against Gambia and then drawing 0-0 with Benin, before winning their final game against Zambia 2-1.

They drew 3-3 with Congo in the quarter-final before winning on penalties, then lost to Senegal and Nigeria in the play-off for third.

 Tunisia have conceded at least three goals in each of their last three games at the finals. They drew 3-3 with Congo in the quarterfinals before winning on penalties but then lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively to Senegal and Nigeria.

They are winless in their last nine games against West African teams (D6 L3).

Tunisia’s last win over a West African team was a 1-0 away success in the first leg of their first-round tie against Guinea in 1987. They won 2-1 on aggregate after the second leg ended 1-1. 

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