Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, began their AFCON build-up with a morale-boosting 2-1 win over hosts Egypt in a keenly contested friendly on Tuesday evening at the Cairo International Stadium.
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A blistering 10th-minute opener from Kparobo Arierhi and a composed penalty by Precious Benjamin sealed the victory for the Aliyu Zubairu-led squad, just 48 hours after arriving in Cairo. The win not only showcased their grit but also sent a strong signal ahead of the U20 AFCON showdown.
Reacting after the match, Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu downplayed the importance of the result, stressing that the primary focus was on team evaluation.
“I don’t think the result makes any difference,” Zubairu said. “It’s just for evaluation. The positives we take from the game are enormous, and they will guide us in improving the deficiencies we’ve observed.”
Zubairu also praised his squad’s quick adaptation to the Egyptian climate, a vital factor with the tournament kicking off soon.
Nigeria, drawn in Group B, will face Tunisia in their opening match next Thursday, followed by clashes with Morocco and Kenya.
With confidence building and strategies sharpening, the Flying Eagles look poised to soar when the competition gets underway.
