Seven-time African champions, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, have begun their campaign to reclaim continental supremacy on a strong note, advancing to the quarter-finals after amassing five points in the group stage.
As the tournament enters a more challenging phase and a potential showdown with West African rivals Ghana looms, the Flying Eagles face an even tougher path in their bid to claim an eighth AFCON title.
Nevertheless, several players have emerged as key figures in Nigeria’s campaign so far, stepping up to help the team remain unbeaten in the group stage despite tough battles against Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya. Bold Sports takes a closer look at the top five Flying Eagles performers of the group stage, highlighting their vital contributions to the team’s success.
Chukwu Emmanuel
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Nigeria’s defense has been a key strength in their AFCON campaign, with Chukwu Emmanuel playing a crucial role at the heart of the Flying Eagles’ backline. He has featured in every minute of their matches so far, helping the team secure two clean sheets in their opening three games.
The 18-year-old made a standout impact in Nigeria’s opening match against Tunisia, registering 10 clearances — more than any other player on the pitch — while also winning three ground duels and four aerial duels. He continued his solid form in the games against Morocco and Kenya, playing a key role as the Flying Eagles secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Kparobo Ariehi
Widely dubbed the “next Osimhen,” Kparobo Ariehi is among the most highly regarded talents in the Flying Eagles lineup. Despite a quiet start to the tournament, going goalless in the opening two matches, the Lillestrøm striker remained a constant threat to the opposition.
However, in the decisive final group match against Kenya, Kparobo Ariehi reminded the continent of his immense potential in front of goal, calmly slotting home his first of the tournament to pull Nigeria level after they had conceded early in the game, helping the Flying Eagles qualify for the next round.
Auwal Ibrahim
Auwal Ibrahim not only netted Nigeria’s opening goal of the tournament against Tunisia with a clinical finish that set the tone for a winning start, but he also earned the official Man of the Match award, capping off a standout performance for the Flying Eagles.
The 19-year-old midfielder continued to impress with strong performances against Morocco and Kenya, contributing defensively as the Flying Eagles battled to hard-fought draws that secured their progression from the group stage.
Ebenezer Harcourt
With two clean sheets in three matches, Flying Eagles goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt currently ranks second in the tournament for most clean sheets, trailing only Zambia’s U-20 shot-stopper Leevison Banda, who has three.
Although backed by a solid defense, Harcourt has stood out when tested — making two key saves against Tunisia and playing a crucial role in keeping Kenya at bay in the final group match. At just 15 years old, he is the youngest member of the Flying Eagles squad, yet he consistently shows composure on the ball, completing 77% of his passes against Tunisia and an impressive 85% against Morocco.
Daniel Bameyi
Captain fantastic Daniel Bameyi has emerged as one of the standout performers, not only for the Flying Eagles but across the entire tournament. His leadership and experience — having featured in two previous AFCON tournaments — have been instrumental in organising the defense and guiding the team through an unbeaten run so far.
Due to his outstanding performance, Bameyi won the official Man of the Match award in the game against Morocco. He then capped off his group-stage contributions by scoring Nigeria’s second equaliser against Kenya, playing a crucial role in ensuring the team avoided defeat and clinched a spot in the quarter-finals.
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