This year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations group stage, which is set for Cote d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18, will pit seven-time champions Nigeria against formidable opponents Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco.

The Flying Eagles, who defeated host country Egypt 1-0 in a group round encounter in the previous competition, need to get off to a strong start in Cote d’Ivoire to boost their confidence going into a tough tournament.

Two years ago in Egypt, Nigeria came in third place.

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In a five-team group A, hosts Cote d’Ivoire will face off against DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Central Africa zone’s unidentified representative team.

Cup winners Senegal lead group C, which also includes Zambia and Kenya and Sierra Leone, two debutants.

The top two teams from each group and the top two third-place finishers from each of the three groups will go to the quarterfinals of the championship.

Former Malian player Adama Coulibaly, who was an assistant at the draw conducted inside the CAF headquarters in Egypt on Thursday, said:

“There is no doubt that the toughest group is the group B that has Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Morocco.”

GROUP A

Cote d’Ivoire, UNNIFAC, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania

GROUP B:

Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco

GROUP C:
Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone