Nigeria’s Flying Eagles were held to a goalless draw by the Junior Atlas Lions of Morocco in their opening Group B match of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicked off in Egypt. The encounter, which took place at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, ended without goals as both teams struggled to find a breakthrough despite flashes of attacking intent.
Nigeria, coached by Ladan Bosso, came into the match with confidence following their title-winning performance at the WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they defeated Ghana in the final. However, their usually clinical attack was largely contained by a well-organised Moroccan defence that refused to yield.
The Flying Eagles had a few opportunities to grab the lead, particularly through the lively midfield pairing of Daniel Daga and Tochukwu Nnadi, who tried to drive the team forward. But their efforts were consistently thwarted by Morocco’s disciplined backline and safe goalkeeping.
Morocco, who reached the tournament after impressing in the North African qualifiers, also had their share of chances but failed to convert, with Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso making a couple of crucial saves to keep the scoreline level.
The match marked the beginning of what is widely regarded as the ‘Group of Death,’ which also features hosts Egypt and South Africa. With all four teams considered strong contenders, every point will count as they battle for the two automatic spots in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, Coach Bosso expressed optimism about his team’s chances in the tournament, noting that the opening draw would not derail their ambition of securing one of the four tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Nigeria will now shift focus to their next match against South Africa, a crucial fixture that could define their trajectory in the competition. The Flying Eagles, seven-time champions of the U-20 AFCON, will be looking to sharpen their attack and secure maximum points in the upcoming games.
The U-20 AFCON not only crowns the continental champion but also serves as the African qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, making every match critical for teams aiming for global exposure.
The draw leaves both Nigeria and Morocco with one point apiece, while the remaining Group B teams are set to face off in their opening game. The Flying Eagles will need to find their scoring boots quickly if they are to live up to the high expectations that come with their illustrious record in youth football
