Nigeria and Kenya are set to clash in an exciting Group B finale at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Nations Cup taking place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, 3 pm Nigerian time on Wednesday.
It’s a must-not-lose match for Nigeria against the already eliminated Kenyans if qualifying for the next round is anything to go for the team.
The seven-time champions need just one point to secure their place in the next round, and a victory could potentially see them top the group, should the other Group C match between Morocco and Tunisia result in a draw or a Tunisia win.
In their previous encounter with East African opponents, Nigeria recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Uganda in the 2023 quarter-finals, which may boost their confidence going into this match, however, Kenya will be facing West African teams for the first time in this stage of the competition, adding an intriguing layer to their performance.
Statistically, Nigeria currently sits at the bottom in Group C as per shot conversion, accruing a paltry 6.25%. Their opponents in the last group match, Kenya, boast a double of Nigeria’s conversion rate with a 14.29%, only second to Tunisia, who ranks (17.65%).
Defensively, Nigeria has recorded 27 tackles, while Kenya has taken the lead with 34, showcasing their tenacity. Interestingly, the Zubair-led boys have kept two clean sheets—more than any other team in the group—while Kenya, having conceded six goals, will need to tighten their defence after allowing three goals in each of their first two matches.
Additionally, Kenya is topping the charts in Group C with 11 shots on target, while Nigeria has only managed seven, tying them for the fewest along with Tunisia. As the match approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling encounter and a pivotal moment for both teams.
Key Stats
NIGERIA
Nigeria began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Tunisia and followed it with a goalless draw against Morocco.
They are aiming to reach the knockout stages for the ninth consecutive tournament in which they have participated. Since 1993, when the tournament adopted a single-format structure, Nigeria has progressed beyond the group stage ten times and been eliminated just twice (1993 and 2001).
Their record in final group matches since 1993 reads: Played 12, won 7, drew 2, lost 3. They have won their final group game in the last two editions they participated in and are unbeaten in their last six final group games (W5 D1). The only draw in this run came against Côte d’Ivoire in 2022.
Nigeria last lost their final group game in 2007, a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon. Despite the loss, they progressed as Group B runners-up behind Zambia.
If Nigeria draws 0-0 and qualifies with only one goal scored, it would mark their lowest goal tally in the group stage since 2001 – though, unlike that year, they would progress to the knockout stage.
If they avoid defeat, Nigeria will have completed the group stage unbeaten for the eighth time.
This is only the second time, after 2019, that Nigeria has kept clean sheets in both of their opening group games. In 2019, they also went through the entire group stage without conceding a goal.
Nigeria scored just one goal in their first two group matches. The last time they did this was in 2023, when they lost 1-0 to Senegal, beat Egypt 1-0, and then defeated Mozambique 2-0.
They are currently the lowest-scoring team in their group.
Daniel Barneyi had 75 touches against Morocco – the most by any player in that match.
Nigeria had three shots on target in the game against Morocco but failed to score.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt has kept two clean sheets, making two saves (both in the opening match against Tunisia). He did not face a shot on target in the draw against Morocco.
Nigeria is one of only two teams yet to concede at the tournament, the other being Zambia, who have played one more game.
KENYA
Kenya lost both of their group matches – 3-2 to Morocco and 3-1 to Tunisia. They scored first in both games but failed to secure a win.
In the match against Tunisia, Lawrence Ouma opened the scoring in the 38th minute. Kenya then conceded in first-half stoppage time and twice in the final 20 minutes to lose 3-1.
Kenya conceded two goals in first-half stoppage time and three goals in the final 20 minutes across their two matches.
Ouma scored in both group games and is the only player – before Tuesday’s matches – to have scored in back-to-back games in this edition of the tournament. He is also the only player to have scored his team’s first goal in two matches.
Kenya has used two goalkeepers so far. Wyclifford Oduor started in the 3-1 loss to Tunisia, making three saves from five shots (save percentage: 40%). In the opening 3-2 loss to Morocco, Bernard Jairo was in goal and made six saves from nine shots (save percentage: 67%).
Stats Credit: CAFOnline
Photo Credit: Kennedy Ugbodaga