Nigeria Vs Kenya: 2-2; Retrospective Reflection

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria qualified for quarter-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after a match played at hellzapoppin pace against Kenya ended in a 2-2 draw this week.

They showed character to come back from adversity twice to grind out this draw. At some point, the Flying Eagles were starring down the gun barrell of defeat.

However, striker Kparobo Arierhi and captain Daniel Bameyi were the scorers with much kudos to the rest of the team for holding firm.

Well, the quality of their game was bad. But for me, it fell into that category of "so bad it's good".

I have, by far, watched higher quality, technically coated, intricate and

tactical football at U-20 level. This match was like watching bitter secondary school rivals slugging it out in Principal's Cup or Inter-house Sports football among teams in the same secondary school.

However, it is the highest quality, hugely entertaining and supremely enjoyable secondary school-type football you are ever going to encounter.

The Flying Eagles were rattled by the pacy, physical and punchy Kenyans who left nothing on the field in their pursuit of victory.

Dare I say Kenya were the toughest opponents the Flying Eagles faced by far in this tournament evidenced by the 2 goals they conceded, having kept clean sheets against far tactically astute Tunisia and Morocco.

Yet, they dug deep, fought in the trenches, slugged it out in gruelling fashion to grap the point needed for quarter-finals ticket.

The Flying Eagles played well. They remain physical, athletic and dogged. What I think they lack is football intelligence.

They are competent in the rudiments of football and they really play for each other with impeccable team spirit.

But this brand of football can only get you so far before the wheels fall off.

I think they can snap up one of the world cup tickets on offer. But, with a practical, physical, physical-education brand of football, they will likely only make up the numbers in the world cup.

For now, well done to the Flying Eagles. I enjoyed today's match for the sheer grit and raw, unrefined approach which produced the point needed for progression.