Nigeria to face Ghana in WAFU B U-20 Championship opener
Nigeria will begin the defence of their WAFU B U-20 Championship title against arch-rivals Ghana on Monday, July 17. The match is set to take place at Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast and will kick off at 3 p.m. Nigeria time.
New head coach Abdu Maikaba, a former assistant under Isa Ladan Bosso who guided Nigeria to their 2022 triumph, is leading the Flying Eagles as they aim for another title. In his first competitive match in charge, Maikaba says they will go for an outright victory against Ghana to retain the trophy.
“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,” said Maikaba ahead of the clash. Nigeria will face other groups on July 30 and August 2 against Togo and Burkina Faso, respectively.
New coach eyes title defense
Maikaba is looking forward to taking over the Flying Eagles and steering them to a successful title defence. With several memorable contests dating back to 1951, the match has added significance for Nigeria’s young players.
The team qualified after a friendly victory against Athlétique Club de Zenuola in Lomé, Togo on Thursday.
Flying Eagles’ upcoming fixtures
- July 30: vs. Togo at the same venue, local time (TBD)
- August 2: vs. Burkina Faso, again from Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro, local time (TBD)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is coaching Nigeria in the WAFU B U-20 Championship?
A: Abdu Maikaba, a former assistant coach under Isa Ladan Bosso, is leading the Nigerian squad.
Q: How do the two nations compare in terms of winning titles at WAFU B?
A: Nigeria has previously won the tournament seven times while Ghana is yet to clinch the U-20 title despite their strong rivalry dating back to 1951.
Q: When and where will Nigeria face Togo and Burkina Faso in their remaining group games?
A: The fixtures against Togo and Burkina Faso are set for July 30 and August 2, both at Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro.