Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, which begins this weekend.
The defending champions landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to Yamoussoukro, where they are staying at the Trio Corridor Hotel.
The Flying Eagles will begin their title defence against Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the last edition in Lomé to lift the trophy.
Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will then face Togo on Thursday before taking on Burkina Faso on Sunday, 2 August, in their final group match.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 23 players for the tournament. They are:
Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves).
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), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).
Midfielders: 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).
Forwards: Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan), Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).
The WAFU B U20 Championship will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the next Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
