U20 FOOTBALL
It’s winner-takes-all as Tunisia battles Morocco in Group B of U20 Afcon
North African heavyweights Tunisia and Morocco meet once again at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Wednesday, rekindling a rivalry that dates back to 1981.
The outcome of this Group B match could determine the pool winner, depending on Nigeria’s result against Kenya.
Victory for either would see them advance. A draw will be enough for Morocco to progress to the knockout stages.
Tunisia, meanwhile, could still advance as one of the best third-placed teams with a draw.
Their previous encounters at the U20 AFCON include a two-legged first-round clash in 1981 – where each side won 1-0 at home before Tunisia edged through 6-5 on penalties – and a dramatic quarterfinal meeting in 2021, which ended 0-0 before Tunisia advanced with a 4-1 shootout victory in Nouadhibou.
The teams most recently faced off in qualifying for this edition during the 2024 UNAF Tournament.
That match, held at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia last November, saw Tunisia take an early lead through Khalil Ayari, only for Morocco to come back with second-half goals from Mouad Dahak and Reda Laalaoui to win 2-1.
Tunisia lost their opening game to Nigeria but bounced back with a 3-1 win over Kenya, coming from behind.
However, they have never won back-to-back group matches at the tournament.
The victory over Kenya ended a three-match losing streak in open play.
Tunisia are aiming for a third quarterfinal appearance, having reached the last eight in 1985, 2021, and 2023.
In their final group games, Tunisia lost 2-1 to Central African Republic in 2021 and beat Zambia 2-1 in 2023.
Tunisia have conceded in each of their last six matches at the finals – their last clean sheet came in a 0-0 draw against Benin in 2021.
Against Kenya, Tunisia attempted 300 passes, 171 of which were in the opposition half.
They also recorded five shots on target – their highest tally in a match at the current tournament.
On the other hand, Morocco, who drew 0-0 with Nigeria in their last match and need just a point to reach the knockout rounds for a third straight tournament.
They were semi-finalists in 2005 and quarterfinalists in 2021. Since the introduction of group stages, Morocco has exited in the first round twice (1993 and 2003) and progressed beyond it in 1997, 2005, and 2021.
They have been unbeaten in their last eight group-stage matches at the finals, winning five times and thrice ending their matches in a draw.
Their last group-stage loss was a 4-0 defeat to Egypt in 2003.
In each of their last three tournaments, Morocco have won their opening group match and drawn the second.
A draw would mark the first time Morocco have had back-to-back group-stage draws.
Morocco’s record in final group matches stands at Play 5, Win 3, Lose 2.
The wins include 2-0 vs Senegal (1993), 1-0 vs Angola (2005), and 3-0 vs Tanzania (2021).
Historically, when Morocco have drawn their second group game, they’ve gone on to win the third (as in 2005 and 2021).
If they avoid defeat this time, Morocco will finish a group stage unbeaten for the fourth time (joining 1997, 2005, and 2021).
The draw with Nigeria was the first time across the 2021 and current editions that Morocco failed to register a shot on target.
Morocco boast five clean sheets in their last six games at the finals, with their only concession being in a 3-2 win over Kenya.
They have also kept clean sheets in their last group matches in 2005 (1-0 vs Angola), all three group games in 2021, and most recently vs Nigeria.
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Just like Brazil did to the Nigerian Flying Eagles 38 years in Concepcion, Chile, so has done Rampant Argentina as they humiliated Nigeria 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the ongoing Under 20 World Cup.
Thesix-time champions Argentina did not waste much time as they began scoring just two minutes the match in Santiago. By the time the dust settled, the Flying Eagles had conceded two goals in each half.
The humiliating defeat not only avenged a 2-0 loss to Nigeria two years ago, it eliminated the Flying Eagles from the tournament.
From the very first whistle, it was a nightmare unfolding for Nigeria. Barely two minutes in, Alejo Sarco silenced the West Africans with a crisp opener that shattered their early rhythm. Things went from bad to worse in the 23rd minute, when Maher Carrizo curled in a brilliant free-kick after Nasiru Salihu’s mistimed challenge at the edge of the box — a goal that left Nigeria’s defensive wall and goalkeeper rooted in disbelief.
Nigeria’s brief glimmer of hope came when Salihu appeared to be fouled by Ramirez inside the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty, compounding their frustration.
With the Argentines dominating possession and dictating the pace, Nigeria’s attacks came in desperate flashes.
Oseer Achihi’s darting runs down the left flank occasionally unsettled the South Americans, but his dangerous crosses found no finishing touch.
Even Daniel Daga’s stoppage-time effort, Nigeria’s best chance of the first half, was spectacularly denied by goalkeeper Santino Barbi, keeping the scoreline at 2-0 at halftime.
Whatever hopes Nigeria harboured of a second-half comeback evaporated quickly. Carrizo struck again in the 53rd minute, finishing off a swift Argentine counter-attack that sliced open Nigeria’s backline.
By the time substitute Matheus Silvetti beat the offside trap and curled home Argentina’s fourth in the 66th minute, it was clear the Flying Eagles were facing a total collapse and will be flying home.
Outclassed, outpaced, and outscored, the defeat marked one of Nigeria’s heaviest in recent U20 World Cup history.
The Flying Eagles — two-time runners-up — exit the tournament with a bitter taste, undone by Argentina’s ruthless precision and their own defensive frailties.
For the Albiceleste, it was not just victory — it was vengeance delivered in emphatic style.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
SUMMARY
*Nigeria never lost a competitive match on October 8
*Nigeria first international match was on October 8, 1949
*Nigeria first qualified for the World Cup following an October 8 match with Algeria in 1993
Mexico have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, following a commanding 4-1 victory over hosts Chile in the early hours of Wednesday.
With the win, the North Americans will now await the outcome of the Round of 16 clash between Nigeria and Argentina, which takes place later tonight at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez PrádanosinSantiago.
Nigeria will be aiming to repeat history against the Albiceleste, having stunned them 2-0 on home soil in their previous meeting two years ago.
But beyond recent records, the Super Eagles’ U20 side will also be drawing inspiration from a remarkable tradition — the ‘Magic of October 8’ — a date that has consistently brought Nigeria good fortune in football.
October 8: A Date Steeped in Nigerian Football History
It was on October 8, 1949, that Nigeria played their first-ever international match, defeating Sierra Leone 2-0 in Freetown. Since then, matches played on this date have often carried a touch of destiny for the nation.
In 1963, the team earned a 2-2 draw away to Liberia, maintaining their unbeaten streak on October 8, shortly after Nigeria had, through protest, overturned a result against Guinea to qualify for their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations.
Perhaps the most iconic result came 26 years after Nigeria’s debut international match, when the Green Eagles thrashed Egypt 4-0 in Lagos on October 8, 1977, during the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers for Argentina ’78.
That defeat remained Egypt’s heaviest in a World Cup qualifier until Ghana’s 6-1 rout in 2013.
The tradition continued in 1993, when Nigeria held Algeria 1-1 in Algiers on October 8 to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, becoming the first English-speaking African nation to reach the global showpiece.
Even FIFA appeared to acknowledge the date’s mystique — lifting a provisional ban on Nigeria on October 8, 2010.
Nigeria’s Record on October 8
- 1949 – Freetown (Friendly): Sierra Leone 0–2 Nigeria
- 1963 – Monrovia (Friendly): Liberia 2–2 Nigeria
- 1977 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier): Nigeria 4–0 Egypt
- 1993 – Algiers (World Cup Qualifier): Algeria 1–1 Nigeria (Nigeria qualify for USA ’94)
- 2005 – Abuja (World Cup Qualifier): Nigeria 5–1 Zimbabwe
- 2010 – FIFA provisionally lifts ban on Nigeria
- 2011 – Abuja (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 2–2 Guinea (unbeaten but missed 2012 AFCON ticket)
With such an impressive record, Nigerian fans will be hoping the October 8 magic shines once again when their U20 side face Argentina — and possibly sets up a thrilling quarter-final showdown with Mexico.
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Three of Africa’s four representatives — Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa — have booked their spots in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, after a thrilling conclusion to the group phase on Sunday night.
Only Egypt missed out narrowly despite their spirited 2-1 win over hosts Chile in Santiago.
Morocco, the standout African team so far, topped Group C with two impressive victories — against Spain and Brazil — before a narrow defeat to Mexico.
The Atlas Cubs will now face Korea Republic in Rancagua on Thursday, 9 October, with the winner set to meet either Italy or the USA in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria, meanwhile, advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after a battling 1-1 draw with Colombia in Talca.
The Flying Eagles had earlier edged Saudi Arabia 3-2 in a dramatic group clash and will now face Argentina in Santiago — a repeat of their memorable encounters in past youth tournaments.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his side’s resilience:
“It wasn’t easy but we stood our ground and were proactive. We knew they are physically strong and good on the ball so we tried to deny them passing lanes. All we wanted was to qualify for the next round.”
For South Africa, it has been a breakthrough campaign. The Amajita, reigning African U-20 champions, sealed their qualification with a 2-1 win over the USA, their second victory of the tournament after hammering New Caledonia 5-0.
The result sends them into a tough last-16 clash against Colombia on Wednesday, 8 October in Talca.
Coach Raymond Mdaka lauded his side’s progress, saying: “The players have shown great maturity and hunger to compete at this level. We believe we can go further if we remain disciplined and take our chances.”
While Morocco’s tactical discipline, Nigeria’s fighting spirit, and South Africa’s attacking flair have given the continent much to cheer about, Egypt’s exit was a cruel blow.
Despite defeating hosts Chile 2-1 in their final group match, the Young Pharaohs missed out on qualification due to an inferior fair-play record — finishing level on points but with more yellow cards than the South Americans.
The performances of the African teams have reignited optimism about the continent’s growing influence in world youth football, as all three surviving nations now aim to emulate Ghana’s famous 2009 U-20 World Cup triumph.
The knockout round fixtures offer no easy paths, but African hopes remain alive in Chile 2025.
Morocco take on Korea Republic, Nigeria face Argentina, and South Africa meet Colombia — three matches that could further underline Africa’s rising football pedigree on the global stage.
-Cafonline
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