Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will begin the defence of their WAFU B U-20 Championship title with a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Ghana on Monday in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The highly anticipated Jollof Derby is a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, Togo, where the Flying Eagles defeated Ghana 2-1 to lift the regional crown.
Under the guidance of new head coach Abdu Maikaba, the Nigerian side heads into the tournament in confident mood after rounding off its preparations with a 2-1 victory over an Ivorian second-division club in a friendly match last week.
Monday’s Group B encounter is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
Burkina Faso and Togo complete Group B, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face Benin and Niger in Group A.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the two finalists earning places at the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Ghana.
