Nigeria’s Flying Eagles earned a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on Thursday to open their U-20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The match was decided by a composed first-half finish from Auwal Ibrahim, who latched onto a precise through-ball from Odinaka Okoro to calmly slot home past the Tunisian goalkeeper, and it capped a dominant opening half in which the seven-time African champions played with composure and authority against their traditionally aggressive North African counterparts.

The second half offered fewer clear-cut chances, though Nigeria believed they had won a penalty in the 72nd minute when Mendos Richson was bundled to the ground in the box. However, following a VAR review, the initial decision was overturned.

Late drama nearly ensued in the 87th minute when Tunisia’s Ben Ali came close to equalising, but Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt produced a superb reflex save to preserve Nigeria’s narrow lead.

The result continued Nigeria’s strong historical record over Tunisia at U-20 level, marking their fourth win in six encounters dating back to 1981. On that occasion, the Flying Eagles defeated Tunisia 4–0 in Lagos in a FIFA World Youth Championship qualifier, though they lost the return leg 1–4 in Tunis and still progressed on aggregate.

In 1985, the sides shared a 1–1 draw in Tunis during the African U20 Championship final, with Nigeria winning the return leg 2–1 in Lagos to clinch their second continental title. More recently, the Flying Eagles overwhelmed Tunisia 4–0 in the 2023 third-place match of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, also hosted in Egypt.

With Thursday’s win, Nigeria will now turn their attention to a crucial group-stage clash against Morocco’s Lion Cubs, scheduled for Sunday evening at the same Cairo venue.