Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have departed for Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they will begin the defence of their regional title and chase qualification for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, Trybal News reports.
Head coach Abdu Maikaba’s side left Nigeria on Monday after several weeks of intensive training and screening in Abuja, with the team aiming to secure one of the qualification spots for the continental tournament.
The WAFU B Championship serves as the qualifying competition for the 2027 U-20 AFCON, making it a crucial assignment for the seven-time African champions as they seek another appearance on the continental stage.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso.
The Flying Eagles will open their campaign against fierce rivals Ghana’s Black Satellites on Sunday, July 27, at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro. The encounter, scheduled to kick off at 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time), is a repeat of the 2024 WAFU B final in Lomé, where Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 to lift the trophy.
Maikaba’s men will then face Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks on July 30 at the same venue before concluding the group stage against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on August 2.
As defending champions, the Flying Eagles will be looking to retain their regional crown while continuing Nigeria’s tradition of producing top young talents capable of progressing to the senior national team.
With qualification for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations at stake, the tournament is expected to provide stiff competition among the leading youth teams from the West African region.
