Nigeria’s national Under 20 team, the Flying Eagles defeated their Tunisian counterparts 1-0 on Thursday in their opening game of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Egypt, www.aclsports.com reports.
Midfielder Auwal Ibrahim scored the game’s only goal in the 38th minute, collecting a pass from marauding left back Odinaka Okoro before slotting home brilliantly beyond Tunisia goalkeeper Thomas Zouaghi.
The Nigerians coached by Aliyu Zubair are bidding for a record extending eighth U20 AFCON title and they started the brighter of both sides but could not break down their North African rivals who matched them in a feisty contest earlier on.
Nigeria’s goal came shortly after the Tunisians had grown into the game although they found it difficult to cope with the pace of left back Okoro who eventually turned provider for Ibrahim’s 38th minute winner.
Nigeria thought they had been handed a chance to seal off the game in the 70th minute when centre referee Abdou Abdel Mefire from Cameroon pointed to the spot after a coming together between substitute Rickson Mendos and a Tunisian but the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) overruled the onfield decision.
The Nigerians continued their strong hold of the game until the 87th minute when Tunisia created their best opening of the evening but goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt made a glorious save to deny Anis Doubal from close range.
The Flying Eagles held on from then and thus continue their iimpressive record in their opening matches of the competition after having won seven of their last nine opening games at the U20 AFCON before Thursday.
Tunisia, meanwhile, continue their winless streak against West African opposition at this level, a run stretching back to 1987.
Nigeria will next face Morocco on Sunday at the same June 30 Stadium in Cairo (where they played Thursday’s game) starting from 9pm local time (7pm in Nigeria) as they bid to gain early qualification into the quarter finals.
Nigeria XI vs Tunisia
Ebenezer Harcourt; Adamu Maigari, Daniel Bameyi, Emmanuel Chukwu, Odinaka Okoro; Caleb Ochedikwu, Auwal Ibrahim (Suleiman Alabi 90’); Clinton Jephta (Tahir Maigana 89’), Divine Oliseh (Yushau Armiyau 68’) Bidemi Amole (Rickson Mendos 68’); Kparobo Arierhi (Precious Benjamin 88’)
