WAFU CUP
Flying Eagles Gear Up for Tough WAFU B U20 Final Test Against Rampaging Cote d’Ivoire
Accra, Ghana – July 22, 2025. Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, are bracing for a fierce battle as they face in-form Cote d’Ivoire in the Final of the WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament on Wednesday, July 23, at the Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Ghana.
The Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire have been the tournament’s most dominant side, winning all four of their matches en route to the final. T
hey opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso, before dispatching Niger Republic 1-0 and Togo 2-0 in the group phase.
In Sunday’s semi-final, the Ivorians showcased their fighting spirit by coming from behind to defeat host nation Ghana 2-1, further underlining their resilience and all-round quality.
On the other hand, the Flying Eagles reached the final through a mix of grit and firepower. After drawing 1-1 with Ghana in their opening game — thanks to an 84th-minute equalizer by forward Mohammed Abdullahi — they roared back from behind to crush Benin Republic 4-1 in their second group match.
Their semi-final clash against Niger Republic proved more nervy, ending 0-0 in regulation time before the Nigerians edged it 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout to book their place in the final.
As anticipation builds for Wednesday’s showdown, all eyes will be on Head Coach Ladan Bosso’s successor, Aliyu Zubair, who continues to build a winning résumé. Zubair led the Flying Eagles to victory in last year’s WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo and secured a spot at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which in turn earned Nigeria a place at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Key players to watch for Nigeria include the influential Mohammed Abdullahi and midfield maestro Ezekiel Kpangu, both of whom have been central to the team’s attacking play. Cote d’Ivoire, however, boast their own match-winners in Abdoul Bamba and Ali Kone — players who have terrorized defences throughout the competition.
Wednesday’s final is expected to draw top dignitaries, including WAFU B President and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), who will be joined by other high-ranking officials of the regional body to witness what promises to be a thrilling contest.
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Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, bounced back from an early setback to overpower the Junior Cheetahs of Benin Republic 4-1 in an impressive outing marked by attacking flair and second-half dominance.
The match got off to a sluggish start for the Flying Eagles as Benin Republic came out with high intensity and purpose. Their early aggression paid off in the 24th minute when Junior Olugbade curled a superb free-kick into the bottom corner, giving the Junior Cheetahs a well-deserved lead.
However, Nigeria found their rhythm before halftime, with Mohammed Abdullahi levelling the score after capitalising on sustained pressure to send both teams into the break tied at 1-1.
The Flying Eagles returned from the interval with renewed energy and purpose, quickly asserting control. Their efforts bore fruit when a well-orchestrated attacking move ended with Ezekiel Kpangu calmly slotting home to give Nigeria a 2-1 advantage.
Moments later, Imrana Mohammed added a third goal, weaving through the Beninese defence before placing a composed finish beyond the goalkeeper.
The victory was sealed in the closing stages, as a precise long pass found Imrana Mohammed in stride. The forward turned provider, setting up Abdulahi Majid, who unleashed a stunning long-range effort from outside the box to make it 4-1.
Defender Odinaka Okoro was named Man of the Match for his commanding presence at the back and contribution to the team’s overall performance.
With this result, the Flying Eagles showcased their resilience and attacking strength, sending a strong signal as they continue their campaign.
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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles and Ghana’s Black Satellites settled for a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their opening Group A match of the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament on Thursday at the Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Ghana.
The hosts struck first in the 26th minute when team captain Musbau Azeez guided the ball into the net to send the home crowd into celebration. Ghana maintained the upper hand for much of the first half, pressing Nigeria into defensive mode and drawing a yellow card for Flying Eagles skipper Daniel Bameyi following a rough tackle in the 33rd minute.
Despite a late first-half surge from the Nigerians, Ghana held on to their slim lead going into the break.
The second half saw Nigeria push forward in search of an equaliser. An appeal for a penalty in the 66th minute was waved off by the referee, and a promising 76th-minute free kick by defender Odinaka Okoro narrowly missed the target.
Their persistence paid off in the 84th minute when Mohammed Abdulahi rose high to meet a corner kick, heading home the leveller to secure a point for Nigeria.
The Flying Eagles will return to action on Sunday when they face the Young Cheetahs of Benin Republic in their second group game.
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Nigeria’s U20 boys, the Flying Eagles, have kicked off preparations in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship, scheduled to run from July 10 to 23.
Originally planned as a joint competition involving nations from both WAFU A and WAFU B zones, the tournament has now been streamlined to feature only WAFU B countries, with Ghana’s capital city playing host.
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has named a 20-man squad led by captain Daniel Bameyi, with several familiar faces returning from the team that finished third at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt, securing Nigeria’s ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Notable returnees include goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, defender Odinaka Okoro, and midfielders Bidemi Amole, Ezekiel Kpangu, Divine Oliseh, and Tahir Maigana.
The squad also welcomes a fresh crop of talents such as Clinton Andy (goalkeeper, Bayelsa United), defenders Abba Sadiq and Marvelous Freedom, midfielder Abduljelil Kamaldeen, and forwards Imrana Muhammad and Qudus Olayiwola.
The Flying Eagles, champions of the last two editions of the WAFU B U20 Championship (hosted by Niger Republic in 2022 and Togo in 2020), will begin their title defence against hosts Ghana in the tournament’s opening match at the Prampram Centre in Accra on Thursday, July 10 at 3:00 pm.
They will face Benin Republic in their second and final Group A match on Sunday, July 13.
Group B features Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo, with the Ivorians and Burkinabes squaring off in the group’s opening encounter also on Thursday.
20 FLYING EAGLES IN GHANA FOR WAFU B U20 TOURNAMENT:
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Andy (Bayelsa United)
Defenders: Abba Khalid Sadiq (Niger Tornadoes); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Akinniran Oluwashile (Water FC); Ahmed Akinyele (Remo Stars); Marvelous Freedom (Ikorodu City)
Midfielders: Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Ezekiel Kpangu (Inspire Academy); Rawa Mohammed (Beyond Limits); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Abduljelil Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)
Forwards: Abdullahi Muhammed (Kwara United); Godday Otalyul-Imbus (Calabar Rovers); Imrana Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Qudus Olayiwola (P Sport FC)
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