Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations following a 2-2 draw with Kenya.
Aliyu Zubairu’s team finished second in Group B with five points from three matches.
Morocco’s Atlas Cubs topped the group with seven points after a 3-1 victory over Tunisia at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Kenya began the match on the front foot and took a deserved lead just six minutes into the game.
Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.
Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.
The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.
Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.
Nwangi fired home from inside the box after latching onto Humphrey Kegengo’s well-delivered free kick.
However, Daniel Bameyi equalised for the Flying Eagles from the penalty spot to ensure both sides shared the spoils.
