Cairo, Egypt — Nigeria‘s Flying Eagles and Egypt’s Young Pharaohs dey ready to clash for bronze medal for di U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at di 30 June Air Defence Stadium for Cairo, kicking off by 16:00 GMT+1. Both teams don suffer narrow defeats for di semi-finals and dis match be their chance to grab redemption and national pride.
Di Flying Eagles reach dis bronze medal stage after falling to South Africa 1-0 in semi-finals. Before dis, dem edge Senegal on penalties and start di tournament with a 1-0 win against Tunisia. For di group stage, Nigeria land one draw against Morocco and another 2-2 draw against Kenya. Egypt, on di other hand, made it to di semi-finals after dem beat Ghana on penalties, but dem lose 1-0 to Morocco. Dis match get extra tension as Nigeria don beat Egypt 2-1 in a friendly before di tournament.
Both teams don face each other for U-20 AFCON finals six times since 1993, with Nigeria winning three times. Di last time dem meet in di final was in 2005, where Nigeria carry di day with 2-0. Egypt only win against Nigeria come for 2013 semi-final. Dis rivalry dey intense because Nigeria also go face Egypt as host country, and dem match in group stage for 2023 end with Nigeria winning 1-0.
Injury concerns dey plague di Nigerian side, with first-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt still under observation. However, captain Daniel Bameyi go lead di defense, and midfield star Israel Ayuma go start again. Upfront, coach Zubairu get plenty options, with Clinton Jephta and Kparobo Arierhi among di attackers available for selection.
Egypt, for dem own side, don reach dis stage before, winning all dey previous bronze matches. Dem don dispatch teams like Ethiopia and Mali in past tournaments, and dis time, dey want to protect dia perfect record as hosts. With di pressure to win at home, fans dey expect dem to perform. Goalie Abdel Tamer don stand out for Egypt, despite conceding seven goals, his saves don help keep dem in di race so far.
Dis bronze medal match no be just about di medal but also about honour and pride as both teams go gather motivation to make history. Di match go stream live for platforms like Startimes, DSTV, and CAF TV.
After dis match, di real final go happen at 19:00 GMT+1 between Morocco and South Africa, echoing di historic rivalry between di two teams. All eyes go dey on Cairo as di Flying Eagles and di Pharaohs battle for one last chance!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
