Nigeria’s Flying Eagles finished third at the 2025 U-20 AFCON, but behind the bronze medal was a dramatic goalkeeping story that unfolded across seven intense matches.
From a 15-year-old sensation to a tactical late substitution in the final game, this was a tournament that highlighted how much difference the man between the sticks can make.
In this article, Footynaija takes you through the dramatic journey of the three goalkeepers who stood between ...s for Nigeria at the 2025 U-20 AFCON.
Ebenezer Harcourt
At just 15, Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting Lagos came into the U-20 AFCON as Nigeria’s starting goalkeeper. Few had heard of him before the tournament, but by the end of the quarter-finals, his name was already on the lips of fans across Africa.
Harcourt featured in all three group stage matches and the quarter-final against Senegal. He kept clean sheets against Tunisia (1-0 win), Morocco (0-0 draw), and Senegal (0-0 before the shootout), only conceding twice in the 2-2 draw with Kenya. That made it three clean sheets in four matches, a standout record for a first-choice goalkeeper at this level.
His performance against Senegal was widely praised, helping Nigeria to a 3-1 penalty shootout win that sealed qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. Harcourt’s calm presence, quick reflexes, and fearlessness earned admiration from across the continent. But just when his rise was peaking, things took a dramatic turn in the semi-finals.
Soliu Yakub
During the semi-final clash against South Africa, Harcourt picked up an injury in the second half. He was replaced by Soliu Ajia Yakub, who plays for Serbian club FK Novi Pazar. Unfortunately, Yakub’s time on the pitch would be defined by one moment.
With the match still goalless, Yakub misjudged a floated cross into the box. His poor reading allowed the ball to drop dangerously, leading to South Africa’s winner. Nigeria lost 1-0, and Yakub found himself the subject of criticism from fans who felt that error had ended the team’s title hopes.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu kept faith in him for the third-place match against Egypt, with Harcourt still sidelined. Once again, Yakub conceded early, just three minutes into the game. Thankfully, Bidemi Amole equalised in the 37th minute. However, Egypt came close to stealing victory in stoppage time, striking the bar and post in a frantic finale.
Abubakar Rufai
In the 94th minute of the third-place match, Coach Zubairu made a bold move. Abubakar Rufai, a goalkeeper from Malvon Football Academy in Lagos State, was brought on specifically for the penalty shootout. It was his first and only appearance of the tournament.
Rufai showed no signs of nerves. He saved two penalties, giving Nigeria the advantage it needed to win the shootout and secure the bronze medal. His late cameo earned him immediate praise, as he turned out to be the unlikely hero of the night.