WAFU B U20 Tourney: Flying Eagles chase final ticket and AFCON qualification

Nigeria’s U20 boys, the Flying Eagles, will be aspiring to book a WAFU B tournament final ticket when they take on host nation Cote d’Ivoire in a semi-final clash on Wednesday evening at Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.

The Flying Eagles finished as runners–up in Group B having lost to Young Stallions of Burkina Faso 0-2 in their last group game.

Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire last met in a crucial last group game in 2024 in Togo, with Flying Eagles coming from behind to win the encounter 2-1 in Lome. An equaliser from Clinton Jeptha and a goal by Kparobo Ariehi were enough for the seven-time African champions to progress to the semi-finals that year, and go on to win the trophy.

This year, the Ivorians maintain a 100 per cent record, having won all their group games and scoring seven goals without conceding any.

After the defeat at the hands of the Burkinabes, Coach Abdu Maikaba is expected to ring some changes in his squad to face the Young Elephants.

Victory for the Flying Eagles will send them to Sunday’s final, where triumph will not only ensure they keep their WAFU B U20 trophy, but also qualify them for next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations alongside host nation, Ghana.