Flying Eagles not a threat – Kenyan captain ahead of U-20 AFCON clash

Kenya U-20 captain Baron Ochieng has downplayed the threat posed by Nigeria’s Flying Eagles ahead of their clash at the upcoming U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Kenyan U-20 squad are drawn in Group B of the tournament alongside Aliyu Zubairu's boys, Tunisia, and Morocco.

But despite the strength of the group as being labeled as a “group of death”, Ochieng insists the team is focused and unshaken.

“We have prepared well, and despite the draw, we don't fear our opponents,” Ochieng said. “Even if we had remained in the previous group, we would still have faced the likes of Morocco in the knockouts. So there’s no need to panic.”

Assistant coach Anthony Akhulia, as quoted by The Star, revealed that their pre-tournament training camp in North Africa is a significant advantage for the team.

“It is good that we are with Morocco in the same group,” Akhulia said. “Camping in their country will put us in a better position because the weather in North Africa is almost similar.

“We need to get our tactics right and avoid losing the first match to boost our chances.”

The U-20 AFCON is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 18 in Egypt. Nigeria, seven-time champions of the competition, will be looking to secure a World Cup ticket awarded to the tournament's top four teams.

Meanwhile, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has recently unveiled his 24-man squad—which includes stars from Hoffenheim and Lillestrøm SK—ahead of the tournament.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi among a squad of 24 for this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. The tournament gets pic.twitter.com/13KbGRXc5S

— The NFF (@thenff) April 17, 2025

With this squad strengthening his options, the former Gombe United gaffer will be hoping to lead his team to secure a ticket to the World Cup.