Nigeria U-20 Qualify for AFCON Semifinals After Victory Over Morocco
Category: African Nations Cup | Tags: Nigeria U-20, Flying Eagles, U-20 AFCON 2025, Morocco U-20, CAF, FIFA U-20 World Cup
Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a hard-fought victory over Morocco. The match, held at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, ended in a 1-0 win for Nigeria, securing their place in the last four and a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The decisive goal came in the 67th minute when forward Emmanuel Chukwu capitalized on a defensive error by the Moroccan backline, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to give Nigeria the lead. Despite Morocco’s efforts to equalize, the Nigerian defense held firm, with goalkeeper Daniel Bameyi making crucial saves to preserve the lead.
This victory marks Nigeria’s 14th appearance in the U-20 World Cup, underscoring their status as one of Africa’s most successful youth teams. Coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his team’s resilience and tactical discipline, stating, “Our boys showed great character and determination. This win is a testament to their hard work and commitment.”
With this win, Nigeria joins Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco as Africa’s representatives at the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The Flying Eagles will now face South Africa in the semifinals, aiming to secure their eighth U-20 AFCON title.
Source: CAF Online
