Nigeria's Flying Eagles. Photo by IMAGO
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles face an even tougher road at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed Egypt as the new tournament hosts, Soccernet.ng reports.
CAF officially awarded the hosting rights to the Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian government following Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) cited unforeseen circumstances as the reason they could no longer organize the competition, which was initially scheduled to begin on April 26, 2025.
Egypt had previously submitted a bid during the initial selection process before losing out to Côte d’Ivoire. With the West African nation stepping down, Egypt’s long-standing ambition to host the event has now been fulfilled.
The competition is set to begin on April 27, 2025, with the final scheduled for May 18, 2025.
Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal has also led to adjustments in the group stage lineup. Initially placed in Group A with five teams, the Ivorians’ absence means their slot will not be filled by another team, leaving Ghana, Tanzania, Central African Republic, and DR Congo to battle for two qualification spots.
For Nigeria, the change in host nation significantly alters the landscape of Group B.
The Flying Eagles will now face hosts Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco — a formidable trio that presents one of the toughest challenges in the tournament.
Even before the switch, Nigeria’s task was already challenging. The Young Pharaohs now have the added advantage of home support and will be motivated to go deep into the competition.
This means Nigeria must overcome both Morocco and South Africa to secure a knockout-stage spot.
The Flying Eagles were originally set to open their campaign against Egypt on April 30 in Korhogo, followed by Morocco on May 3, and South Africa on May 6. However, with Egypt now hosting, CAF will need to confirm new venues and schedules.
With the tournament now taking place in North Africa instead of West Africa, Nigeria will need to rethink its logistics, travel plans, and acclimatization strategies.
The team is currently in a training camp in Katsina, where preparations continue under the support of the state government.
A semi-final finish would guarantee automatic qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year, and despite the changes, Nigeria remain focused on achieving that goal.
As seven-time U20 AFCON champions and two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up, the Flying Eagles have a rich history of excelling at this level. However, with Egypt’s new role as hosts, Nigeria’s road to an eighth continental title has become significantly tougher.
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