Flying Eagles Set for Showdown with Senegal in U20 AFCON Quarter-finals
By IDNN Sports Desk
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face off against continental rivals Senegal in a make-or-break quarter-final clash at the ongoing 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the stakes sky-high — a victory not only ensures progression to the semi-finals but also secures automatic qualification to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for Monday, May 12, at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM Nigerian time.
Senegal sealed their place in the last eight after dispatching the DR Congo 2-0 in their final Group C encounter, finishing behind Ghana’s Black Satellites. Nigeria, on the other hand, booked their spot as runners-up in Group B after a pulsating 2-2 draw against Kenya’s Rising Stars.
With history on the line, Nigeria’s squad — led by head coach Aliyu Zubairu — arrived in Ismailia on Thursday to begin final preparations. The Flying Eagles, seven-time champions of the U20 AFCON, are aiming to restore their dominance on the continental stage after finishing third in the previous edition.
Their last encounter with Senegal at this level ended in heartbreak for Nigeria, as the Baby Lions edged them 1-0 in the 2023 edition. This rematch, therefore, offers a shot at redemption and another opportunity for the Flying Eagles to assert their pedigree.
Beyond the rivalry, the prize is massive — a semi-final ticket, and more importantly, a berth at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Nigeria’s technical crew will look to key performers like Salim Fago, Daniel Daga, and Ibrahim Muhammad to rise to the occasion, while the defense will need to stay compact against Senegal’s rapid transitions and set-piece threats.
Fans across Nigeria will be glued to their screens as the nation’s future football stars aim to fly past the Baby Lions and soar into the global spotlight.