The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will kick off their 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against familiar North African foes Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Historically, Nigeria have enjoyed a solid record against North African sides at the U20 level, and they will be confident of making a strong start in Group A against the Junior Carthage Eagles.
A deep dive into the archives shows that while Nigeria have been competing in the U20 AFCON since its inception in the late 1970s, their first encounter with a North African team came in 1981 – a two-legged qualifier against Tunisia.
The Flying Eagles took control with a thumping 4-0 win in Lagos before losing 4-1 in Tunis, progressing 5-4 on aggregate.
The two sides met again in the final round of the 1985 qualifiers. With both nations already guaranteed a spot at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Soviet Union, Nigeria edged Tunisia 3-2 on aggregate to seal the continental crown.
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Egypt entered the fray as Nigeria's next North African opposition at the 1987 tournament. The Flying Eagles overpowered the Young Pharaohs 4-0 in Lagos and, despite a 2-1 loss in Cairo, comfortably advanced 5-2 on aggregate.
The format of the African Youth Championship changed in 1991 to a single-host tournament rather than home-and-away fixtures, with Egypt hosting the first edition under the new structure. Nigeria, however, failed to qualify that year.
In 2005, on the road to winning their fifth continental title, Nigeria edged Morocco 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in the semi-finals. They then dispatched Egypt 2-0 in the final, thanks to a brace from the late Isaac Promise.
The Flying Eagles met Egypt again in the group stage of the 2007 edition. This time, the spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw. But Nigeria returned to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph over the Young Pharaohs in the group stage of the 2009 tournament in Rwanda.
Nigeria vs Tunisia: How has Flying Eagles fared against North African teams at the U20 AFCON?
Egypt finally managed to break their winless streak against Nigeria in 2013, defeating the Flying Eagles 2-0 in the semi-finals on Algerian soil. However, Nigeria would have the last laugh in more recent years.
In the 2023 U20 AFCON, hosted by Egypt, Nigeria defeated the hosts 1-0 in the group stage and later cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the third-place playoff – one of their most dominant displays against North African opposition.
FT Tunisia U20 0-4 Nigeria U20.
— The NFF (@thenff) March 10, 2023
Flying Eagles clinch Bronze at #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 #SoarFlyingEagles pic.twitter.com/S8WHPvYbR1
In total, Nigeria have played 13 matches against North African opposition at the U20 AFCON. The Flying Eagles have claimed eight wins, drawn two, and lost three — a strong record they will hope to improve when they meet Tunisia again on Thursday.
With history on their side and recent form favouring the West Africans, Aliyu Zubairu’s boys will look to soar once more in Cairo.
