While Rising Stars had lost their two opening matches - 3-2 against Morocco and 3-1 against Tunisia, the Flying Eagles had floored Tunisia 1-0 in the opener before being slowed down by Morocco, who forced them into a 0-0 draw.
Nigeria were seeking one point against Kenya to progress to the quarter-final, but victory could have enabled the seven-time champions to top the group, provided the other Group B match between Morocco and Tunisia ended in a draw or Tunisia secured victory.
However, Kenya were playing for pride as they had already been eliminated from the tournament.
The Flying Eagles’ most recent encounter with East African opposition was a 1-0 win over Uganda in the 2023 quarter-finals, while Kenya were facing the West African opponents for the first time at this stage of the competition.
Kenya coach Salim Babu started Wycliford Oduor between the sticks, while the defensive line revolved around Manzur Suleiman Okwaro in the left back position, Joseph Bate Onyango and Jackson Imbiakha took up the central role, while Humphrey Kegengo was drafted into the right position.
Irad Ambugo and Kevin Wangaya played behind the defenders while Hassan Beja, Aldrine Kibet took up the midfield supporting the attacking duo of Dalphene Omuri and Lawrence Ouma.
Nigeria coach Aliyu Zubairu started Ebenezer Harcourt in goal, Adamu Maigari, Emmanuel Chukwu, Daniel Bameyi, and Odinaka Emmanuel Okoro protecting keeper Harcourt, while Simon Karshe Cletus, Auwal Ibrahim, and Israel Isaac Ayuma played in the midfield.
The attacking role was led by Clinton Degol Jephta, who played from the right wing, Kparobo Arierhi, who was the lone striker, and Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu, who was deployed from the right wing.
Kenya strike first
Just like their previous matches in the tournament, Kenya raced into the lead as early as the sixth minute when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Ouma. Wangaya, who was named man of the match, stepped up to convert the resultant kick, sending keeper Harcourt the wrong way.
However, Kenya’s celebrations were short-lived as Nigeria drew level seven minutes later when Arierhi took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Rising Stars backline to stab the ball past Oduor, who had moved out of his line.
Kenya were the first team to see their player booked in the 34th minute when Irad Mshindi was shown a yellow card following a clumsy tackle, and four minutes later, Omuri went into the referee’s book following a similar offence.
Heading into the final group fixture, in terms of defensive stats, Nigeria had won 27 tackles, while Kenya were leading the group with 34. Nigeria had managed to keep two clean sheets – the most in the group – while Kenya had conceded six goals, three in each of their first two matches.
Despite witnessing several scoring chances from both sides, the game headed into half-time tied at 1-1. At the start of the second period, Rising Stars made two changes, Mshindi and Omuri coming out for Andres Omondi and William Gitama.
Nigeria coach Zubairu responded with three substitutions, resting Auwal Ibrahim, Ezekiel Kpangu, and Maigari Bajibir, for Suleiman Alabi Jojo, Rickson Mendos, and Chigozie Ihejiofor.
Despite the triple change, it was Kenya who once again restored their lead, this time substitute Gitama finding the back of the net with a low-footed effort in the 68th minute.
The goal was initiated by Beja, and that was his last contribution as he was withdrawn for Humphrey Aroko. Four minutes later, Kenya failed to hold onto their lead as they conceded a penalty following a foul on Kpangu.
Bameyi was the man tasked to take the kick from the spot, and he slotted it home past Oduor to make it 2-2.
Nigeria complete group stage unbeaten
By avoiding defeat, Nigeria completed the group stage unbeaten for the eighth time. However, the two goals from Kenya ended their clean sheet in the competition. The draw further enabled the Flying Eagles to reach the knockout stages for the ninth consecutive tournament in which they have participated.
Since 1993, when the tournament adopted a single-format structure, Nigeria has progressed beyond the group stage ten times and been eliminated just twice (1993 and 2001).
In the other Group B fixture, Tunisia suffered a 3-1 defeat against Morocco at Suez Canal Stadium to exit the tournament. Ayman Arguigue scored for Morocco in the 44th minute for a 1-0 advantage at the half-time break before Anis Doubal restored parity for Tunisia in the 53rd minute.
However, two late goals courtesy of Issa Habri in the 86th minute and Jones El-Abdellaoui in the added minutes of stoppages, respectively, ensured Morocco carried the day to qualify for the quarter-finals alongside Nigeria.
Morocco finished top of Group B with seven points amassed from two wins, one draw and zero defeats, while Nigeria came second with five points garnered from one win, two draws and zero defeats.
Kenya, who were making their maiden appearance in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament, finished without a point while Tunisia finished third with three points.
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