Head coach Abdu Maikaba has unveiled a 23-player squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 2026 WAFU B Under-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.

The squad features players drawn from the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Nigeria National League, football academies and clubs abroad, reflecting the depth of emerging talent available to the Flying Eagles.

Goalkeepers Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos) and Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves) headline the squad alongside defenders Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC) and Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).

The midfield includes Spain-based Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alaves), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First), Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan) and Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC).

The attacking options comprise Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy) and Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).

Nigeria will be targeting another successful outing in the regional championship, beginning with Monday’s high-profile clash against Ghana, before facing Togo and Burkina Faso in their remaining group fixtures.

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn alongside Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso in Group B of the 2026 West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B U20 Championship scheduled to take place in Côte d’Ivoire.

The draw, conducted on Wednesday, sets up a potentially explosive group-stage campaign for the defending champions, who will renew their rivalry with Ghana’s Black Satellites while also facing Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks and Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions.

Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will compete in Group A alongside the Benin Republic and the Niger Republic.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s successor, Abdu Maikaba, will lead the Flying Eagles into the regional championship with a 23-man squad expected to depart Nigeria on Monday ahead of the tournament.

The Nigerian team will be aiming not only to retain the WAFU B title but also to secure one of the zone’s two qualification tickets for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Ghana.

The Flying Eagles enter the competition with an impressive pedigree. Nigeria are seven-time African U20 champions and two-time runners-up at the FIFA U20 World Cup, making them one of the most successful youth teams on the continent.

They will also arrive in Côte d’Ivoire as defending champions, having lifted the trophy in the last edition held in Lomé, Togo, in 2024. On that occasion, the Flying Eagles defeated arch-rivals Ghana 2-1 in the final to claim the regional crown.

The draw has therefore set the stage for another highly anticipated clash between the two West African heavyweights, with both nations seeking qualification for the continental finals and regional supremacy.

With Ghana hosting next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, the race for the available qualification slots is expected to be intense, as the Flying Eagles seek to continue their rich tradition of success in youth football and book their place at the continental championship.

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The Young Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire were crowned champions of the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament after a narrow 1-0 victory over Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in a tense final played on Wednesday in Accra, Ghana.

The Ivorians capped a flawless campaign with their fifth consecutive win, showcasing discipline, cohesion, and tactical superiority throughout the tournament.

Their triumph was sealed deep into stoppage time, when Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt mishandled a free-kick, allowing Zakaria Tindano to pounce and score the only goal of the match.

Côte d’Ivoire’s path to the title was nothing short of impressive. They opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso, followed by 1-0 and 2-0 victories against Niger Republic and Togo, respectively, in the group stage. In the semi-final, they came from behind to eliminate hosts Ghana with a 2-1 comeback win.

For Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, it was a hard-fought final against an in-form opponent. The seven-time African champions put up a resilient display and held their own until the late lapse that proved costly.

Despite the loss, Nigeria’s run to the final remains commendable, and the experience will be vital as the team looks ahead to future continental and global competitions.

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