Defending champions Nigeria will begin the defence of their WAFU B U20 Championship title with a mouth-watering clash against rivals Ghana on 27 July in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. The fixture, which will be played at the prestigious Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro, is a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, where the Flying Eagles came from behind to defeat the Black Satellites 2-1 and lift the regional crown. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigerian time). The Flying Eagles, who are seven-time African U20 champions, will continue their Group B campaign on 30 July when they take on Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks at the same venue. Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on 2 August, again at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro, with kick-off fixed for 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigerian time). The Nigerian team heads into the tournament determined to retain the title won two years ago and continue its impressive record in youth football within the West African region. The squad has spent the past few weeks in intensive training and screening exercises in Abuja, where the coaching crew worked on tactics, fitness and team cohesion ahead of the championship. The Flying Eagles are scheduled to depart Nigeria on Monday for Côte d’Ivoire, where they will complete their final preparations before opening their title defence against the Black Satellites. Nigeria will be aiming for another successful campaign as the tournament also provides a valuable platform for the country’s young talents to showcase their abilities on the regional stage.
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