Flying Eagles Target Winning Start Against Ghana in WAFU B U-20 Tournament

Flying Eagles Target Winning Start Against Ghana in WAFU B U-20 Tournament

By Our Reporter 

Defending champions Nigeria will launch their campaign at the 2025 WAFU B U-20 Championship with a high-profile Group B clash against long-time rivals Ghana on Monday in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The encounter is a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, Togo, where the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites 2-1 to successfully defend the regional title they first won in Niamey in 2022.

Former head coach Isa Ladan Bosso guided Nigeria to the 2022 triumph, while Aliyu Zubairu led the team to back-to-back titles with victory over Ghana in last year's final.

Monday's fixture also marks the competitive debut of new Flying Eagles head coach Abdu Maikaba, who previously served as an assistant coach of the national U-20 team. The experienced tactician has expressed confidence in his squad's preparation and insists the team's objective is clear.

"We are going for an outright victory against Ghana because our objective is to retain the trophy, and we have to start winning our matches from day one," Maikaba said ahead of the encounter.

The Group B opener will kick off at 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time) at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro.

Nigeria head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 victory over Athlétique Club de Zuenoula in a preparatory friendly played on Thursday, providing a confidence boost ahead of the championship.

The fixture adds another chapter to one of African football's fiercest rivalries. Since their first meeting in 1951, Nigeria and Ghana have produced several memorable contests across various age grades and in both men's and women's football.

A victory over Ghana would significantly strengthen Nigeria's chances of securing a semi-final place in the four-team Group B, where the Flying Eagles will also face Togo and Burkina Faso.

Nigeria will return to action on July 30 against Togo's Junior Sparrow Hawks at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time).

The defending champions will conclude their group-stage campaign against Burkina Faso's Young Stallions on August 2 at the same venue, with the match also set for a 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time) start.

Group A comprises hosts Côte d'Ivoire, Benin Republic and Niger Republic.