Nigeria and Kenya played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their final Group B match at the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flying Eagles twice went behind but fought back through goals from Kparobo Arierhi and captain Daniel Bameyi.
With the draw, Nigeria finish as Group B runners-up behind Morocco, who claimed an impressive 3-1 win over Tunisia.
Nigeria vs Kenya: How it happened
First Half
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu made three changes to the side that drew goalless with Morocco, handing starts to Simon Cletus, Kparobo Arierhi and Ezekiel Kpangu in place of Bidemi Amole, Precious Benjamin, and Divine Oliseh.
However, it was Kenya who struck first. In the 6th minute, VAR spotted a handball by centre-back Chukwu, who had blocked a goalbound shot with his arm just inside the box.
Rising Stars captain Kévin Wangaya made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt the wrong way to give the East Africans an early lead — their third consecutive game scoring first.
It was the first goal Nigeria had conceded at the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt, having kept clean sheets in their previous matches against Tunisia and Morocco.
Despite the setback, the Flying Eagles responded well and were level just seven minutes later. Cletus played a clever through-ball into the path of Arierhi, and the Norway-based striker rounded the goalkeeper expertly before slotting the ball into the net.
Arierhi almost doubled his tally moments later, but his header was well saved by Kenya’s alert goalkeeper, Wycliford Oduor.
Nigeria were beginning to dominate possession, but Kenya showed flashes of quality in attack. Playmaker Aldrine Kibet tested Harcourt with a fierce long-range strike, forcing the Nigerian keeper into a full-stretch save.
At the other end, Jephta came agonisingly close to scoring Nigeria’s second, but his curling effort towards the top corner failed to dip in time.
The Flying Eagles were committing men forward in search of a second goal, which left space at the back for Kenya to exploit. However, the Rising Stars couldn't capitalise. Despite both sides playing enterprising football, clear-cut chances were few and far between, with Nigeria having the slight edge.
Credit goes to Nigerian defenders Odinaka Okoro and Daniel Bameyi, who stayed sharp and managed to keep Kenya’s dangerous forwards in check.
Nigeria had the final opportunity of the half when Arierhi laid the ball off for Kpangu, but his tame strike was easily gathered by Oduor.
By halftime, news filtered in that Morocco had taken a 1-0 lead over Tunisia — a result that provisionally pushed the Atlas Cubs to the top of Group B, with Nigeria second and Tunisia slipping to third.
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Second half
Nigeria began the second half on the front foot, with Isaac Ayuma firing a fierce shot from outside the box that sailed just over the bar in the opening minutes.
Moments later, as news filtered in that Tunisia had equalised in the other Group B match, Kparobo Arierhi came close to giving Nigeria the lead. However, the striker could only direct his effort straight at the goalkeeper when well placed.
The Flying Eagles continued to press, dominating possession and probing for weaknesses in the Kenyan defence. Despite their control, clear-cut chances remained scarce.
Seeking to inject fresh energy, coach Aliyu Zubairu introduced Olamilekan Alabi and Rickson Mendos in place of Auwal Ibrahim and Ezekiel Kpangu.
Just after the hour mark, Daniel Bameyi came to Nigeria’s rescue, intervening brilliantly to divert a dangerous Kenyan move out for a corner, preventing what looked like a certain goal.
But the warning signs weren’t heeded.
In the 67th minute, Kenya restored their lead through William Gitama Mwangi, who met a superb Humphrey Obina free-kick with a powerful finish that crashed in off the crossbar — a goal worthy of the occasion.
Having kept two clean sheets earlier in the tournament, Nigeria had now conceded from both a penalty and a set piece.
The Kenyan joy was short-lived, though.
Just five minutes later, Nigeria were awarded a penalty after substitute Rickson was brought down in the box. Captain Bameyi stepped up and calmly sent Wycliford Oduor the wrong way to draw the Flying Eagles level again.
Tahir Maigana and Divine Oliseh entered the fray in the 75th minute, with Oliseh quickly making his presence felt by testing the Kenyan goalkeeper with a low drive.
Nigeria pushed for a winner and had the game’s final big chance, but Oliseh blazed over from close range after being neatly set up by Arierhi.
At the final whistle, Nigeria appeared the more frustrated of the two sides, while Kenya celebrated claiming their first-ever point in U20 AFCON history.
What Next?
The draw means Nigeria finish as runners-up in Group B, behind Morocco who defeated Tunisia 3-1.
According to the CAF schedule, the Group B runners-up will face the second-placed team in Group C.
Heading into the final round of fixtures, DR Congo lead Group C with four points, followed closely by Ghana, who have the same number of points but an inferior goal difference. Defending champions Senegal and the Central African Republic sit at the bottom with a point apiece.
On May 8, Senegal will take on DR Congo, while Ghana face the Central African Republic — matches that will determine Nigeria’s next opponents in the quarter-finals.
