Flying Eagles Clinch Bronze at U-20 AFCON: Nigeria Triumphs Over Egypt in Thrilling Penalty Shootout

By Emmanuel Kwada

Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, clinched the bronze medal at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over hosts Egypt at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.

The morning after🥉✌️!

The Flying Eagles celebrate their third place finish at the #U20AFCON

On to the next one✈️🇳🇬#FlyingEagles pic.twitter.com/GB10HOHM7F

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) May 19, 2025

The match, which ended 1-1 after regulation time, showcased Nigeria’s resilience and composure, securing their second consecutive bronze medal at the tournament.

Nigeria’s journey at the 30 June Stadium was marked by gritty performances. On May 7, they fought to a 2-2 draw against Kenya, with Kenya scoring through a sixth-minute penalty by Kevin Injehu and a second-half strike.

In the semi-final on May 15, Nigeria fell 1-0 to South Africa after a 65th-minute

Nigeria responded with Kparobo Arierhi’s 13th-minute goal and a late equalizer, finishing second in Group B with five points, as reported by Soccerway and Flashscore.

In the semi-final on May 15, Nigeria fell 1-0 to South Africa after a 65th-minute defensive error by substitute goalkeeper Ajia Yakub, sending them to the third-place playoff.

photo Credit: NFF

The bronze medal match against Egypt was a tense affair. Egypt struck first, but Nigeria leveled the score with a well-executed goal, forcing a penalty shootout.

The Flying Eagles converted four spot-kicks while Egypt managed only one, sealing the victory, as noted by LiveScore and AiScore.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his team’s determination: “The boys showed character and belief. This bronze medal is a stepping stone for the World Cup.” Fans echoed this, celebrating the win and urging preparations for the global stage.

Facing a passionate home crowd, Nigeria displayed tactical discipline against an Egypt side that had lost to them only once in U-20 AFCON clashes since 1993, according to FootLive. Their ability to rally and dominate the shootout highlighted their growth, securing a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup alongside other African qualifiers.

Flying Eagles celebrating their win. credit: NFF

The Flying Eagles’ bronze is a symbol of resilience and unity, with their composure at the 30 June Stadium signaling strong prospects for the World Cup. As Nigeria celebrates, the focus shifts to building on this success for the global stage.

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