AFCON U-20: Nigeria, Egypt clash in third-place match
Seven-time champions Nigeria will, on Sunday, confront hosts and four-time champions Egypt for the bronze medal at the ongoing Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals in Cairo.
Both teams were tipped by pundits to win their respective semi-final matches, but after disappointing results, they now face off in the third-place match at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in downtown Cairo.
It will be the fifth time Nigeria, winners in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015, are contesting for third place, having won bronze on three previous occasions. Egypt will be playing for bronze for the fourth time, also with three previous third-place finishes.
Notably, Nigeria and Egypt met in the final of the 2005 edition in Cotonou, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2-0 with both goals scored by the late Isaac Promise.
The two sides also clashed in the group stage of the tournament two years ago, with Nigeria emerging victorious thanks to a powerful first-half header by Solomon Agbalaka.
Flying Eagles’ coach, Aliyu Zubairu, may make changes to the squad for Sunday’s game after expressing disappointment with the team’s performance in Thursday’s loss to South Africa.
First-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt remains under medical observation and will undergo a second assessment during Saturday night’s official training to determine his fitness. Captain Daniel Bameyi, Odinaka Okoro, Adamu Maigari, and Emmanuel Chukwu are likely to start in defense.
Israel Ayuma, who has impressed throughout the tournament, is expected to anchor the midfield alongside any two of Sulyman Alabi, Simon Cletus, Divine Oliseh, and Auwal Ibrahim. In attack, Clinton Jephta, Kparobo Arierhi, Tahir Maigana, Bidemi Amole, Precious Benjamin, and Mendos Rickson are all available for selection.
