Seven-time champions African U-20 champions, Nigeria will battle it out with Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in the group phase of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire from 26th April – 18th May, 2025.
The Flying Eagles pipped host nation, Egypt, 1-0 in a group phase match at the last edition of the competition, and must ensure a great start to their campaign in Cote d’Ivoire to build confidence at the tournament. Nigeria finished third in Egypt two years ago.
Former Malian player Adama Coulibaly, who was part of the draw conducted inside the CAF headquarters in Egypt on Thursday, said: “There is no doubt that the toughest group is the group B that has Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Morocco.”
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, in group A, will play DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and the yet-to-emerge representative team of Central Africa zone, in a five-team group Cup-holders, Senegal, head group C, which also has Zambia and two debutants Kenya and Sierra Leone.
The two top-placed teams in each group, alongside the best two third-placed finishers in the three groups, will advance to the championship’s quarter finals.
Group A: Cote d’Ivoire, UNNIFAC, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania
Group B: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco
Group C: Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone.
