Flying Eagles of Nigeria got their Group B campaign at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations off to a perfect start thbaks to a hard-fought 1-0 win against Tunisia on Thursday in Cairo.
Auwal Ibrahim was the hero for the Flying Eagles as his first half strike was enough to secure the three points.
It is now back-to-back wins for the Flying Eagles against Tunisia in the AFCON.
The Flying Eagles thrashed the Tunisians 4-0 when the two teams met in the third-placed play-off of the competition in 2023.
Up next for the Flying Eagles is another tough encounter this time against Morocco on Sunday, May 4.
Meanwhile, the group’s other game will be played later today with Morocco gping up against debutant Kenya.
Tunisia had the first chance of the game in the sixth minute but failed to break the deadlock.
Three minutes later the North Africans had two quick opportunities but once again failed to convert.
In the 10th minute Divine Oliseh had the Flying Eagles’ first attempt on goal but could not direct his chance on target.
Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was called to action on 15 minutes and made a superb save to deny Tunisia the opening goal.
It was the turn of the Tunisian keeper to bail out his team on 23 minutes as he denied Oliseh a scoring opportunity.
Ten minutes later Oliseh had another opportunity but could not connect with a cross from the left wing.
The deadlock was eventually broken on 38 minutes as Ibrahim received a beautiful laid pass from Odinaka Okoro, burst past his marker and slotted past the keeper.
Just one minute later the Flying Eagles almost doubled their lead but Kparobo Arierhi saw his goal-bound strike take a slight deflection before the keeper punched away for a corner-kick.
In the first half added time there was check for a penalty by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) against the Flying Eagles following a tackle by Clinton Jephta but it was eventually waved away.
In the 56th minute a poor clearance by a Flying Eagles defender was almost punished but the Tunisian player blased over the bar.
On 63 minutes Okoro sent in a good cross but Oliseh failed to connect with the pass.
Few minutes later a Tunisian player surged forward and sent in a dangerous cross which Harcourt brilliantly punched away.
In the 72nd minute the Flying Eagles were awarded a penalty but after consultation with VAR it was overturned.
With three minutes left Harcourt made a superb close-range save after good passing play by Tunisia.
By James Agberebi
