Defending champions Nigeria have arrived in Côte d’Ivoire for the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship after Flying Eagles head coach Abdu Maikaba unveiled a 23-man squad for the regional tournament.
The competition, which kicks off this weekend, also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2026 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Flying Eagles aiming to retain the title they won in Togo two years ago.
Nigeria’s delegation landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to Yamoussoukro, where the team is camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel ahead of the start of the championship.
The Flying Eagles open their Group A campaign against old rivals Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. The fixture is a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, where Nigeria came from behind to defeat Ghana 2-1 and lift the trophy.
Maikaba’s side will then face Togo on Thursday before rounding off the group stage against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on Sunday, 2 August.
The former Bayelsa United coach has selected a blend of home based and overseas based players, with talents from Spain, Croatia and the Nigeria Premier Football League making the final squad.
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Among the overseas contingent are Wahab Musa of Malaga, Imrana Muhammad of Deportivo Alavés and Rufai Abubakar of Croatian side NK Istra 1961, while the domestic league is represented by players from Sporting Lagos, Warri Wolves, Akwa United, Wikki Tourists, Abia Warriors and Kano Pillars.
Academy products from Grassrunner, Golden Boot Soccer Academy, Sporting Supreme, Aseami Academy, Barau, JMD and P Sport Academy also earned places in the squad, underlining Maikaba’s confidence in emerging young talent.
Nigeria, seventime African U20 champions, will be hoping to successfully defend their WAFU B crown and secure qualification for the continental championship later this year.
Flying Eagles 23-man squad
Goalkeepers
- Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos)
- Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves)
- Wahab Musa (Malaga)
Defenders
- Timilehin Agbonjimi (Ablaze)
- Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy)
- Somto Nnoli (Akwa United)
- Samson Joshua (Galadima)
- Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme)
- Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner)
- Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy)
Midfielders
- Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alavés)
- Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists)
- Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors)
- Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists)
- Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves)
- Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961)
Forwards
- Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First)
- Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan)
- Adamu Hussaini (Barau)
- Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme)
- Abdullahi Ele (JMD)
- Gift Subi (P Sport Academy)
- Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars)
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