The Flying Eagles of Nigeria battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Kenya in their final Group B game at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU appraises the performance of the players in the game.
Ebenezer Harcourt 6/10
The Sporting Lagos goalkeeper conceded twice in the game. He was not at fault for both goals.
Adamu Maigari 5/10
The right-back struggled in the first half , but improved after the break. He was replaced by Chigozie Ihejiofor in the 64th minute.
Daniel Bameyi 7/10
The captain rescued a point for the Flying Eagles after scoring from the spot in the 73rd minute. He was solid all through.
Emmanuel Chukwu 6/10
The Hoffenheim defender conceded the penalty that led to the first goal. He recovered to post a good display.
Odinaka Okoro 7/10
The reliable left-back was one of Flying Eagles top performers in the game. He defended well and also joined the attack.
Auwal Ibrahim 5/10
He struggled against the more skilful Kenyans. The defensive midfielder was duly replaced by Olalekan Alabi one minute after the hour mark.
Israel Ayuma 6/10
Played well especially in the first half. He combined well with Simon Cletus in midfield.
Simon Cletus 6/10
He impressed on his first start of the competition. Cletus set up Kparobo Arierhi for Nigeria’s first goal.
Ezekiel Kpangu 5/10
Kpangu didn’t do much on his first appearance of the competition. He was replaced by Rickson Mendos in the 61st minute.
Clinton Jephta 6/10
The Enyimba winger was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half. Still searching for his first goal of the tournament.
Kparobo Arierhi 7/10
The Lillestrøm striker scored his first goal of the competition. He was unlucky not to score a second.
Substitutes
Ricky Mendos 4/10
The Niger Tornadoes forward won the penalty that was converted for Nigeria’s second goal by Daniel Bameyi.
Olalekan Alabi 3/10
He took the place of Auwal Ibrahim. The midfielder didn’t do much following his introduction.
Chigozie Ihejiofor 4/10
He took the place of Adamu Maigari. Did well to keep the opponent at bay in the closing stages of the game .
Divine Oliseh 3/10
The midfielder wasted a glorious chance in stoppage time.
3 Comments
What a pathetic team to watch
Let them try to win their next game to reach the semi final and also qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. I’m sure only about 10 of these boys will be retained for the World Cup proper.
More experienced foreign-based players like Hafiz Ibrahim,Victor Orakpo,Adeshina Ayodele,Izuogu Chibueze,Victor Eletu, Benjamin Fredrick,Vince Osuji, Daniel Daga and others will be released by their clubs to fortify the Flying Eagles since it is a FIFA organized competition.
Cut them the slack, for the FE boys are trying. Do you think other teams who qualified for the tournament from their various zones came to Egypt for sightseeing? The boys have qualified for the QF and yet over-sabi Nigerians would not commend them for their efforts, what if they were sent packing from the group stage?
From what I have seen so far from all the group matches in the tournament, I can’t single out any team that is better than these our boys. Yes you need a bit of luck to win tournaments, outside talent, and if that mother luck shine on the FE, I don’t see any country in this u20 Afcon stopping them- atleast from what I have seen so far. Even the defending champions, Senegal, was beaten by Ghana, and are now on the verge of not qualifying for the knock out stage