Flying Eagles of Nigeria are set for a fresh challenge as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) prepares to conduct a brand-new draw for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, following a surprise change in the tournament’s host nation.
Originally placed in Group B with Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa during the official February 13 draw, the Flying Eagles now find themselves waiting to learn new opponents after the Ivorian Football Federation unexpectedly pulled out of hosting the tournament on March 26.
CAF swiftly moved the competition to Egypt and announced that the initial draw was no longer valid. The new draw will take place at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters on Sunday, April 13 at 5:00 PM local time (3:00 PM GMT), and will be broadcast live on ON Time Sports and CAF TV.
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Alongside the host change, CAF has revised the qualification format. Extra slots were allocated to second and third-placed teams from the UNAF region.
In addition, Congo has been suspended and replaced by the Central African Republic.
Per CAF regulations, Egypt will now take position A1, with Nigeria and defending champions Senegal occupying B1 and C1 respectively.
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The 13 teams will be split into three groups — one of five and two of four. The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, will move on to the quarter-finals.
Teams like Tunisia, Zambia, and Central African Republic will be seeded in Pot 1, while Pot 2 includes newcomers and returning nations such as Morocco, Sierra Leone, Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and DR Congo.
The 2025 U-20 AFCON will now run from April 27 to May 18 in Egypt — and Nigeria’s path to glory just took an unexpected turn.
