Morocco and Nigeria advance to knockouts

by Staff Reporter

Thursday May 08, 2025. 11:00

Morocco and Nigeria booked their places in the quarterfinals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday after the final round of games in group B.

Morocco secured top spot in group B after defeating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium while a 2-2 draw with Kenya at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium proved enough to send Nigeria through.

Kenya failed to register a victory in this year’s tournament, losing two games and drawing one while Tunisia managed one win and two losses from their three group-stage games.

At the 30 June Air Defence Stadium, Kenya struck first in the early stages as captain Kévin Wangaya Injehu converted from the penalty spot in the 6th minute.

However, their lead lasted only seven minutes as Nigeria levelled the score in the 13th minute through Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi who craftily chipped the ball over the keeper into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Kenya retook the lead in the 68th minute through William Gitamu but once again their lead would not last long as Nigeria drew level once more through Daniel Bayemi who scored from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.

In the clash at the Suez Canal Stadium, Morocco found the opening goal just before the stroke of half time as Ayman Arguigue headed the ball into the net from close range.

Tunisia would not go down without a fight and equalised in the 53rd minute through Anis Doubal, whose shot took a deflection on its way through.

However, Morocco answered late in the game and put the fixture to rest as Ismail Bakhty scored in the 86th minute and Jones El-Abdellaoui scored in stoppage time to seal Morocco’s place at the top of the group’s standings.

Nigeria and Morocco will both play their quarterfinal fixtures on Monday at 2pm CAT and 5pm CAT respectively, with their opponents yet to be determined.

by Nic Gleeson