Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, where they will begin the defence of their regional title, Trybal News reports.
The defending champions touched down in Abidjan on Monday before making the journey by road to Yamoussoukro, the host city for the tournament. The team is camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel as preparations enter the final phase ahead of the competition’s kickoff this weekend.
Nigeria will open its campaign on Monday with a blockbuster encounter against Ghana’s Black Satellites at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. The fixture renews one of West African football’s fiercest rivalries and serves as a repeat of the previous WAFU B U20 Championship final in Lomé, where the Flying Eagles came from behind to defeat Ghana 2-1 and retain the trophy.
Head coach Abdu Maikaba will be aiming for another strong showing from his youthful squad as Nigeria seeks to extend its dominance in the region. Following the opener against Ghana, the Flying Eagles will face Togo’s Sparrow Hawks on Thursday before rounding off their group-stage fixtures against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on Sunday, 2 August.
With a record seven U20 Africa Cup of Nations titles, the Flying Eagles head into the tournament as one of the favourites, carrying the expectations of maintaining Nigeria’s proud tradition at youth level while providing a platform for the country’s next generation of football stars.
Flying Eagles Squad for the WAFU B U20 Championshi
Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves).
Defenders: Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).
Midfielders: Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alavés), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First), Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan).
Forwards: Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).
