Flying Eagles Target WAFU B Final and U20 AFCON Qualification Against Côte d’Ivoire
Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, will be aiming to secure a place in the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and seal qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations when they face tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire in Wednesday’s semi-final at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.
The seven-time African champions advanced to the last four as runners-up in Group B after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their final group-stage match. Despite the setback, Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side remains focused on keeping alive its hopes of successfully defending the regional title.
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire share recent history in the competition, having met in the decisive group-stage fixture of the 2024 tournament in Togo.
On that occasion, the Flying Eagles came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in Lomé, with Clinton Jephta equalising before Kparobo Ariehi scored the winner to send Nigeria into the semi-finals. The Flying Eagles went on to lift the WAFU B crown.
The hosts head into Wednesday’s encounter in formidable form, having won all their group matches while scoring seven goals without conceding, underlining their credentials as one of the tournament favourites.
Following the defeat to Burkina Faso, Maikaba is expected to make changes to his starting line-up as Nigeria looks to overcome the Young Elephants and return to the final.
A victory would not only earn the Flying Eagles a place in Sunday’s championship match but also secure qualification for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where they would join host nation Ghana among the qualified teams.
