Flying Eagles Face Cote d’Ivoire in WAFU B Semis

The Flying Eagles, Nigeria's U20 football team, are set to compete against host nation Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-finals of the WAFU B U20 tournament on Wednesday evening at Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro. The team finished as runners-up in Group B after a 0-2 loss to the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso in their final group match.

Previously, Nigeria faced Cote d’Ivoire in a crucial group game in 2024 in Togo, where they won 2-1, with goals from Clinton Jeptha and Kparobo Ariehi. Cote d’Ivoire has a perfect record in the tournament, winning all their group matches and scoring seven goals without conceding.

Following the defeat to Burkina Faso, Coach Abdu Maikaba is expected to make changes to the lineup. A victory for the Flying Eagles will not only advance them to the final but will also secure their qualification for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Ghana next year.