- Kenya Takes the Lead Twice, But Nigeria’s Resilience Seals the Deal.
- Flying Eagles Secure a Crucial Point to Advance in 2025 U-20 AFCON.
- Late Penalty Keeps Nigeria’s U-20 AFCON Dreams Alive After Dramatic Stalemate.
In an electrifying showdown between Nigeria and Kenya at the 2025 U-20 AFCON, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria secured a crucial point to book their place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Despite falling behind twice, the Nigerian side showed character and resilience, ending the Group B clash in a 2-2 stalemate at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Final Group B Standings: Nigeria Through, Kenya Out
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Aliyu Zubairu’s men finished second in Group B with five points from three matches.
Morocco claimed the top spot with seven points after comfortably dispatching Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
For Kenya, the draw was not enough, as they finished third and bowed out of the competition.
Match Highlights: Nigeria vs Kenya – Drama, Grit, and Goals
The Rising Stars came out with intent and wasted no time asserting themselves.
Just six minutes into the game, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Chukwu was penalized for handling the ball inside the box.
The referee initially gave a free kick but changed the call to a penalty after consulting VAR.
Captain “Kevin Wangaya Colly” calmly converted from the spot, giving Kenya a deserved early lead and catching Nigeria off guard.
Flying Eagles Respond Swiftly Through Arierhi
Nigeria did not take long to reply.
Barely seven minutes later, Kparobo Arierhi, the promising Lillestrøm striker, latched onto a smart pass from Simon Cletus and clinically finished past the Kenyan goalkeeper.
The equalizer reignited Nigeria’s confidence and shifted momentum their way.
Second Half Shifts: Intensity Rises, Lead Changes Again
While Nigeria enjoyed greater possession in the second half, they struggled to break down Kenya’s defense.
Also Read: Nigeria Flying Eagles Secure Thrilling 1-0 Win Over Tunisia in U-20 AFCON 2025 Opener
On the other end, Kenya made their chances count.
In the 68th minute, substitute William Nwangi reacted quickly inside the box, smashing home a loose ball from Humphrey Kegengo’s free-kick.
The Rising Stars were back in front and suddenly, Nigeria faced elimination pressure.
Late Penalty Keeps Nigeria Alive
The Flying Eagles pressed hard in the final stretch, and their persistence paid off.
A foul inside the Kenyan box gave Nigeria a penalty opportunity.
Skipper “Daniel Bameyi” stepped up with nerves of steel and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, bringing the game level at 2-2.
That crucial goal not only saved the match, it also kept Nigeria’s tournament hopes alive.
What This Result Means for the Flying Eagles
By holding Kenya to a draw, the Flying Eagles punched their ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The performance revealed both the team’s attacking strength and some defensive concerns.
Nevertheless, with standout displays from players like Kparobo Arierhi and Daniel Bameyi, Nigeria heads into the knockout stage with momentum and belief.
Takeaways from Nigeria vs Kenya at 2025 U-20 AFCON
This match had it all—early goals, penalty drama, VAR decisions, and last-minute thrills.
The 2025 U-20 AFCON Nigeria vs Kenya encounter was a testament to the competitive spirit of African youth football.
It tested Nigeria’s mental toughness and gave fans a taste of what this young squad is capable of under pressure.
While Kenya exits the tournament with their heads held high, Nigeria now gears up for a quarter-final test that will demand more focus and tactical discipline.
The Flying Eagles are in flight—how far they soar remains to be seen.
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