Eagles Derby: Nwankwo Kanu’s Enyimba back Nigeria's Flying Eagles ahead Tunisia showdown

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will kick off their quest for an eighth Africa U20 title on Thursday, facing the Junior Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the opening Group B match at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. 

The fixture, steeped in history, recalls Nigeria’s win over Tunisia in the 1985 final and the 2023 third-place playoff, where the Flying Eagles secured an emphatic 4-0 victory.

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Enyimba FC, whose player Clinton Jephta is part of the squad, have come out to publicly declar their support on social media, stating:

“We all @ Enyimba stand with one of our own, Clinton Jephta & entire Nigeria Under 20 team as they take on Tunisia today at the ongoing U20 AFCON in Egypt.”

This year’s campaign carries added significance as Nigeria, led by coach Aliyu Zubairu, aims to make a strong start in a group that also features Morocco and Kenya, with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals and a FIFA U20 World Cup ticket at stake. 

The team arrives in high spirits following a morale-boosting 2-1 friendly win over Egypt, with Zubairu emphasising the importance of taking each match as it comes.

Historically, Nigeria holds the upper hand in this rivalry, having won three of their five previous U20 AFCON meetings against Tunisia, including scoring in every encounter. 

However, with North African teams known for their tactical discipline, the Flying Eagles are wary of any complacency as they seek to set the tone for a successful tournament.

The match kicks off at 4pm Nigerian time, with fans able to follow the action live on CAF’s broadcast partners and online platforms.