Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have secured the bronze medal at the 2025 CAF U20 African Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against host nation Egypt, which ended in a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory in the third-place final.
The match, played in front of a passionate Egyptian crowd, saw both sides battling for pride and a place on the podium after missing out on the final. Egypt struck first with a well-taken goal in the first half, but Nigeria responded before the break with an equalizer that brought the game level.
Despite chances on both ends in the second half, neither team could find a breakthrough in regulation time. The game headed straight to penalties, where Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys showed grit, focus, and excellent preparation.
The win earns Nigeria a third-place finish in the tournament and marks a strong statement from the Flying Eagles, who bounced back from a disappointing semi-final exit to end their campaign with a medal.
This result also reflects positively on Coach Zubairu, whose leadership and tactical discipline have been praised throughout the competition. It’s Nigeria’s first U20 AFCON podium finish since 2015, reinforcing the country’s position as one of Africa’s youth football powerhouses.
With the bronze medal secured, attention now turns to the development of this promising group of players as they aim to progress to the Super Eagles and represent Nigeria on bigger international stages.
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