Nigeria’s Flying Eagles came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Kenya in their final Group B match at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Kparobo Arierhi and captain Daniel Bameyi scored the goals for Nigeria in a tense match at the Suez Canal Stadium. The result means Nigeria finished second in Group B, behind Morocco, who beat Tunisia 3-1.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu made three changes to the team that played against Morocco, bringing in Simon Cletus, Kparobo Arierhi, and Ezekiel Kpangu. But Nigeria got off to a poor start, going behind in the 6th minute after VAR spotted a handball by Chukwu. Kenya’s captain Kevin Wangaya scored from the penalty spot.
Nigeria hit back in the 13th minute. Cletus played a great pass to Arierhi, who went around the goalkeeper and scored to make it 1-1. Arierhi and Daniel Jephta both had chances to put Nigeria ahead before half-time, but couldn’t convert.
In the second half, Nigeria looked stronger. Ayuma went close with a powerful shot, and Arierhi missed another good chance. But it was Kenya who scored next in the 67th minute through William Gitama Mwangi, who hit a brilliant shot off the crossbar from a free-kick.
Nigeria responded quickly once again. Substitute Rickson Mendos was fouled in the box, and Bameyi scored the penalty to make it 2-2 in the 72nd minute.
Divine Oliseh came off the bench and almost scored the winner late on, but shot over the bar after a good pass from Arierhi.
The result gave Kenya their first-ever point in U20 AFCON history, and they celebrated at full-time. Nigeria, though not fully satisfied with the draw, move on to the quarter-finals as Group B runners-up. They will face the second-placed team in Group C, with their opponent to be confirmed after the final group matches on 8 May.
