Nigeria’s Flying Eagles earned a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Egypt’s Young Pharaohs in a pre-Africa U-20 Cup of Nations friendly match at the Cairo International Stadium. This win came just 48 hours after Nigeria’s arrival in Cairo, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the Flying Eagles showed their strength and resilience, defeating Egypt’s U-20 team in a tightly contested match. The win is particularly significant as Nigeria prepares to compete in the 17th Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, which kicks off this Sunday.
Fast Start for Nigeria
The match got off to a flying start for Nigeria, with Kparobo Arierhi finding the back of the net in the 10th minute. Aierihi, who was instrumental in Nigeria’s WAFU B U-20 Championship victory last October, received a precise pass from Bidemi Amole and coolly slotted the ball past Egypt’s goalkeeper to give Nigeria the early lead.
Arierhi’s goal came at a crucial moment, as it provided the Flying Eagles with an early advantage and set the tone for the rest of the game. Nigeria, known for their attacking style, controlled the first half and kept the Young Pharaohs on the back foot for much of the early period.
Egypt Fights Back
The Young Pharaohs responded in the second half, showing their determination to get back into the game. In the 65th minute, Egypt found their equalizer through Ahmed Kaabaka, who capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Nigerian team to make it 1-1.
With the game on a knife-edge, the match became a battle of wills, with both teams pressing for the winning goal. Despite Egypt’s efforts to seize control of the match, it was Nigeria who would come out on top.
Nigeria’s Clinical Finish
With just seven minutes remaining in the match, Nigeria regained the lead. A penalty awarded to the Flying Eagles after Divine Oliseh was fouled in Egypt’s 18-yard box proved to be the decisive moment. Precious Benjamin stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake, firing the ball into the net to restore Nigeria’s lead at 2-1.
Benjamin’s composed finish secured Nigeria’s victory and provided them with a much-needed confidence boost heading into the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. The victory also showed the Flying Eagles’ ability to hold their nerve under pressure and finish strong when it mattered most.
A Positive Start for Nigeria Ahead of the Tournament
This friendly win is a critical morale booster for Nigeria’s U-20 team as they look ahead to the upcoming Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. The tournament, which starts on Sunday, is set to feature some of the continent’s best young talents, and Nigeria will be aiming to extend their dominance in African youth football.
The Flying Eagles, seven-time champions of Africa’s U-20 competition, will be looking to add another title to their illustrious history. With a strong performance against Egypt, Nigeria has shown that they are ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
As the Flying Eagles prepare for their opening match in the tournament, the victory over Egypt provides a solid foundation for what could be a successful campaign. With a team full of talent and determination, Nigeria’s U-20 team looks set to make an impact at this year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
