Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, will be aiming to secure a place in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship when they face hosts Côte d’Ivoire in a semi-final clash on Wednesday evening at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro.
The Flying Eagles finished second in Group B after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in their final group match.
Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire last met at the 2024 WAFU B U-20 Championship in Togo, where the Flying Eagles came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory in their final group game in Lomé. Goals from Clinton Jephta and Kparobo Arierhi sealed the comeback win, sending the seven-time African champions into the semi-finals before they eventually went on to lift the title.
The Ivorians head into Wednesday’s encounter with an impressive record, having won all their group matches while scoring seven goals without conceding.
Following the loss to Burkina Faso, head coach Aliyu Zubairu is expected to make changes to his starting lineup as the Flying Eagles seek a return to winning ways against the Young Elephants.
A victory for Nigeria will secure a place in Sunday’s final. Winning the tournament would not only see the Flying Eagles successfully defend their WAFU B U-20 title but also earn them qualification for next year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations alongside hosts Ghana.
