Morocco and Nigeria made strong statements on the opening day of Group B action at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, each securing crucial victories to kick-start their campaigns.
In the first fixture, Nigeria edged out Tunisia with a narrow 1-0 win.
A tightly contested encounter saw both sides struggle for dominance, but the Nigerians ultimately found the breakthrough, capitalising on their physicality and tactical discipline to snatch all three points.
The result places the West African giants in a promising position as they seek to progress beyond the group stage.
The second match of the day produced far more fireworks, as Morocco triumphed in a thrilling 3-2 win over Kenya.
In a game filled with momentum shifts, the North Africans took an early lead and maintained pressure throughout, showcasing their attacking intent and technical precision.
Kenya, though defeated, earned praise for their resilience, pushing Morocco to the final whistle and scoring twice to stay within reach.
With the dust settled after the first round of matches, Morocco and Nigeria sit level at the top of the Group B standings with three points apiece.
Morocco currently holds the edge on goal difference, having scored more goals in their opener.
Tunisia and Kenya, meanwhile, find themselves at the foot of the table, each still searching for their first point of the tournament.
Group B standings after matchday one:
- Morocco U20 – 3 pts
- Nigeria U20 – 3 pts
- Tunisia U20 – 0 pts
- Kenya U20 – 0 pts
The next round of fixtures is set to intensify the battle for qualification, with Tunisia looking to rebound from their opening defeat and Kenya eager to convert their attacking potential into points.
Morocco and Nigeria, both full of confidence, will aim to build on their early momentum and secure early passage to the knockout stages.
As the tournament unfolds, Group B is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive pools in this year’s competition, promising more drama and standout performances in the matches to come.
