Record U20 Africa Cup of Nations (U20 AFCON) winners, Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn in the group of death of the continental competition on Thursday Afternoon, reports www.aclsports.com.
The Nigerian U20s will face Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco in Group B of the U20 AFCON billed to occur in Cote d’Ivoire from 26th April to 18th May. Nigeria defeated Egypt 1-0 in the group stage of the previous edition before going ahead to finish 3rd overall and consequently booked their place at the World Cup tournament in Argentina.
READ MORE: U20AFCON: Flying Eagles camp in Abuja for Egypt friendlies
In the draws held on Thursday and monitored by www.aclsports.com, host nation Cote d’Ivoire were drawn in Group A alongside DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a representative from UNNIFAC in the five-team group. In group C, defending champions Senegal will battle Zambia, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.
The two top-placed teams in each group, alongside the two best third-placed teams from the three groups, will progress to the quarter-final stage of the tournament. The semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the global showpiece billed for Chile later this year.
Nigeria, who won the WAFU title to qualify for this tournament, have won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations seven times – at least three times more than any other African country.