Nigeria and Senegal are set for a crucial clash at the ongoing 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. This will be the fourth time Nigeria face defending champions in the tournament’s history.
The crucial quarterfinal clash between Nigeria and Senegal will be held at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Monday (kick-off 15:00 local time / 12:00 GMT), as both teams eye a place in the semifinals.
The two West African outfit finished second in their groups respectively and are set for a high stake encounter. Nigeria finished second in Group B, while the defending champions placed second in Group C.
Both teams have not been clinical at the tournament in the North African country, with Nigeria and Senegal scoring just three goals from the initial three games.
Each time these teams have met at the tournament, the winner has gone on to claim the title. Nigeria defeated Senegal 3-1 in the 2015 group stage and went ahead to secure their seventh title.
The teams previously met at the finals in 2015 and 2023. In 2015, they faced off twice in the group stage and the final both matches won by Nigeria.
In 2023, Senegal edged Nigeria 1-0 in their opening group game and went ahead to clinch the title. Overall, Nigeria have two wins from their three previous encounters, while Senegal have one.
Nigeria have struggled recently against fellow West African teams, losing 1-0 to both Senegal (group stage) and Gambia (semi-final) in 2023, and to Mali on penalties in the 2019 semi-finals following a 1-1 draw. Their last win against a West African opponent came in a 1-0 victory over Niger in 2019.
Senegal, on the other hand, were unbeaten in eight matches against West African opposition before losing 1-0 to Ghana in their second group match of the current tournament (W7 D1).
