Nigeria v Egypt preview: Can the Flying Eagles bounce back against the hosts?

Having started their under-20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a negative note, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria will now turn their attention to Egypt.

Ladan Bosso's boys put up a timid display in their Group A opener against Senegal which resulted in a 1-0 defeat, leaving them bottom of the group.

Egypt also endured a disappointing result in the first round of games, playing out a goalless draw against Mozambique in front of the home crowd.

Both teams failed to win their first games which increases the stakes for this one as a defeat could mean early elimination, especially for Nigeria who already lost once.

Form favours the Young Pharaohs who have not lost in regulation time in any of their last seven games, their last defeat coming in a 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in a friendly game back in 2021.

Coach Mahmoud Gaber will be somewhat worried though as his young charges have drawn their last three games without scoring in the last two.

A draw would not eliminate either side but a win is what they absolutely need to continue to hold their destinies completely in their own hands.

This crucial game will be played at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday, 6 pm Nigerian time.

These two giants of African football have only previously met twice at under-20 level with both winning one each with a 2-0 scoreline.

The first meeting between them was back in 2009 at the under-20 AFCON hosted by Rwanda where Nigeria beat Egypt 2-0 in the group stages.

The only other meeting was in 2013, also at the under-20 AFCON in Algeria where Egypt beat Nigeria 2-0 in the semi-final en route to winning the tournament while the Flying Eagles finished third.

Coach Ladan Bosso will likely be without midfielder Daniel Daga, who was substituted against Senegal due to an injury he sustained during the encounter. 

The Flying Eagles coach has faced criticism for dropping Sweden-based defender Abel Ogwuche in the defeat to Senegal who is the most valuable player in the Nigeria squad according to Transfermarkt.