WAFU CUP
Flying Eagles Outgun Ghana 4-2 in Six-Goal WAFU B Thriller
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles made a flying start to their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign on Monday, overpowering arch-rivals Ghana 4-2 in a thrilling six-goal encounter.
The Nigerian U20 side produced an impressive attacking display, with Muiz Adeleke scoring twice from the penalty spot as the Flying Eagles held off a spirited second-half fightback from Ghana’s Black Satellites.
Nigeria needed only six minutes to announce their intentions. Olayemi Ayinla opened the scoring with a thunderous effort that left the Ghanaian goalkeeper with little chance.
Ghana responded in the 23rd minute when Mohammed Zaidan found the net to restore parity at 1-1.
The Flying Eagles were not unsettled by the equaliser and regained the lead seven minutes later. Lucky Oraro’s free-kick took a wicked deflection on its way into the net to put Nigeria 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria tightened their grip on the contest in the 38th minute after being awarded a penalty. Adeleke stepped forward and calmly converted to give the Flying Eagles a commanding 3-1 advantage at half-time.
Head coach Abdu Maikaba made a change at the start of the second half, introducing Adamu Hussaini for Imrana Muhammad as Nigeria sought to maintain control.
Ghana, however, refused to surrender.
The Black Satellites were handed a route back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark. Kelvin Nkrumah converted to reduce Nigeria’s advantage to 3-2 and set up a tense final half-hour.
Ghana subsequently increased the pressure in search of an equaliser, but the Flying Eagles absorbed the challenge before gradually regaining control.
Nigeria had an opportunity to put the match beyond their rivals in the 84th minute when Adeleke found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he failed to convert.
He did not have to wait long to make amends.
The Flying Eagles were awarded another penalty in the 89th minute and Adeleke made no mistake this time, converting his second spot-kick of the evening to seal an emphatic 4-2 victory.
The result gives Nigeria the perfect start to their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign and, more significantly, an early statement of intent from the Flying Eagles as they pursue regional honours.
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The stage is set in Yamoussoukro as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles lock horns with Ghana’s Black Satellites in a high-stakes Group B opener at the ongoing WAFU B U20 Championship. The clash, scheduled for Monday at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro (2 pm local time, 3 pm Nigeria time), rekindles one of West Africa’s fiercest football rivalries.
Nigeria, seven-time African champions, enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final of the last edition in Lome, Togo. That victory, masterminded by Coach Aliyu Zubairu, ensured the Flying Eagles retained the crown they had first won in Niamey under Isa Ladan Bosso.
This time, the reins are in the hands of Coach Abdu Maikaba, a former assistant coach of the team, who is determined to begin his tenure with a statement win. “We are going for an outright victory against Ghana because our objective is to retain the trophy and we have to start winning our matches from Day One,” Maikaba declared confidently ahead of the encounter.
The Flying Eagles warmed up for the tournament with a 2-1 friendly victory over Athletique Club de Zenuola last Thursday, sharpening their edge for the Ghanaian test.
Nigeria and Ghana’s football rivalry dates back to 1951, producing unforgettable battles across all levels of the game. Monday’s result could prove pivotal, with Nigeria still to face Togo on July 30 and Burkina Faso on August 2 in Group B. A win against Ghana would put the Flying Eagles in prime position for a semi-final berth.
Group A features hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic, setting the stage for a thrilling competition across the sub-region.
Key Fixtures for Nigeria in Group B
- July 27: Nigeria vs Ghana – 2 pm local (3 pm Nigeria)
- July 30: Nigeria vs Togo – 2 pm local (3 pm Nigeria)
- August 2: Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – 2 pm local (3 pm Nigeria)
This opening clash is more than just a group game—it’s a battle for supremacy between two giants of African youth football.
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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have settled into their base in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the kick-off of the 2026 WAFU B Under-20 Championship this weekend.
The defending champions arrived in Abidjan on Monday before completing the journey by road to Yamoussoukro, where they are lodged at the Trio Corridor Hotel.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will launch their title defence against old rivals Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium in what promises to be one of the tournament’s headline fixtures.
The encounter revives memories of the previous edition in Lomé, where the Flying Eagles defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final to lift the regional title.
Nigeria’s seven-time African U-20 champions will then face Togo’s Sparrow Hawks on Thursday before concluding their group campaign against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on Sunday, August 2.
With a blend of home-based talents and foreign-based prospects, the Flying Eagles will be aiming to successfully defend their WAFU B crown and build momentum ahead of future continental assignments.
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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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