Egypt U20 head coach Osama Nabih has acknowledged the tough challenge ahead after his team was drawn into what many consider the most difficult group at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Young Pharaohs find themselves in the AFCON U20 Group B, where they will face Nigeria, Morocco, and South Africa in the competition set to run from April 26 to May 18.
Nigeria Flying Eagles grouped for U20 AFCON alongside Egypt, South Africa and Morocco.
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) February 13, 2025
Nigeria needs to get to the semifinals to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Can we do it? #U20AFCON #SoarFlyingEagles pic.twitter.com/zBzHMxxJre
Nigeria, the reigning WAFU B champions, boast an unmatched record in the U20 AFCON, having won the tournament seven times. Egypt, on the other hand, have lifted the trophy on four occasions (1981, 1991, 2003, 2013).
The two nations have a storied rivalry in this competition, with one of the most memorable encounters being the 2005 final in Benin Republic, where Nigeria claimed a 2-0 victory.
Meanwhile, North African giants Morocco, the 1997 champions, pose another formidable challenge.
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South Africa, though yet to win the title, remain a consistent force in African youth football, having previously secured silver and bronze medals in the competition.
What Nabih said about facing Nigeria, and others
Reacting to the draw, Nabih admitted the difficulty of the group but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“It is certainly the strongest group in the tournament, but we trust in ourselves, our players, and our capabilities,” Nabih told the Egypt FA.
“We have a difficult challenge in Côte d'Ivoire. With effort, sweat, and hard work, we are able to overcome the difficulty and qualify for the World Cup.”
The top four teams at the U20 AFCON will secure qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year, adding further stakes to the tournament.
Nabih emphasized that his team will continue their thorough preparations, including a series of friendly matches, to ensure they enter the competition fully ready.
“We will complete the serious work we have started and prepare well for the tournament. We have a respectable preparation program and will play a number of friendly matches to achieve the required harmony and cohesion for this team,” he added.
Egypt's coach also underlined the resilience of his nation’s youth teams, reinforcing their determination to defy the odds.
“Egyptian teams are accustomed to facing difficulties, and it is impossible for us to have the impossible. The impossible gives us hope and dreams,” he said.
“The next stage requires solidarity from everyone because the tournament is indeed difficult, especially after the change in the map of African football in recent years.”
READ MORE: 2025 U20 AFCON: Ghana relieved to avoid Nigeria as Flying Eagles face Egypt and South Africa
Elsewhere, hosts Côte d'Ivoire have been placed in Group A, where they will take on DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and another representative from the UNIFFAC region.
Group C will feature defending champions Senegal, who have been drawn alongside Zambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.
With just four World Cup spots available and several heavyweight nations vying for them, the competition in Côte d'Ivoire promises to be fiercely contested.
