Nigeria’s Flying Eagles continued their preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ivorian Ligue 2 side Athlétique Club de Zuénoula in an international friendly played on Thursday evening at the INPHB Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, Sportblits.com reports.
The encounter served as the final phase of preparations for Head Coach Abdul Maikaba’s side ahead of the regional tournament, where Nigeria will be aiming to defend the WAFU B title and secure qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Goals from Gift Subi and substitute Muiz Adeleke sealed victory for the seven-time African champions, while Kone Umar scored the consolation goal for the hosts.
Flying Eagles produce disciplined display
Despite facing a determined Ivorian side, the Flying Eagles displayed composure and tactical discipline throughout the contest.
Nigeria controlled large spells of the match with organized defending and quick attacking transitions, creating several promising opportunities before eventually taking the lead.
Gift Subi opened the scoring with a well-taken finish to reward Nigeria’s positive start and give the Flying Eagles a deserved advantage.
The goal boosted the confidence of Abdul Maikaba’s team, who continued to press forward in search of a second goal while remaining solid defensively.
The performance reflected the progress the team has made during its training camp ahead of one of the most important youth competitions in West African football.
Muiz Adeleke makes immediate impact
As the game progressed, Coach Maikaba used the opportunity to rotate his squad and assess different tactical combinations ahead of the tournament.
One of the substitutes, Muiz Adeleke, made an immediate impact by scoring Nigeria’s second goal to extend the Flying Eagles’ lead.
His finish highlighted the attacking depth available within the squad and provided another positive sign for the coaching staff ahead of the championship.
The goal also demonstrated Nigeria’s ability to influence matches from the bench—an important quality in tournaments where squad rotation often plays a decisive role.
Ivorians respond but Nigeria hold on
Athlétique Club de Zuénoula refused to give up and managed to reduce the deficit through Kone Umar, whose powerful strike beat the Nigerian goalkeeper.
The goal ensured a tense finish as the Ivorian side searched for an equaliser in the closing stages.
However, the Flying Eagles remained organized defensively and successfully protected their advantage until the final whistle to secure a deserved 2-1 victory.
The result provides valuable confidence ahead of the tournament while also giving the coaching staff useful insights into areas that may still require improvement.
Important preparation for WAFU B Championship
Friendly matches play a vital role in tournament preparation, allowing coaches to assess player fitness, tactical systems and squad chemistry under competitive conditions.
For Abdul Maikaba, the victory offers further encouragement as Nigeria continues preparations for a competition that carries significant importance.
Winning the WAFU B Championship would not only secure another regional title but also guarantee qualification for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which serves as the pathway to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles have a proud tradition in youth football and will be hoping to maintain their reputation as one of Africa’s strongest U-20 teams.
Nigeria face Ghana in opening match
Nigeria’s attention now turns to the opening fixture of the WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they will face long-time rivals Ghana’s Black Satellites in one of the tournament’s most anticipated matches.
The clash promises to be a fierce contest between two of West Africa’s most successful youth football nations.
Following the Ghana encounter, Nigeria’s remaining Group fixtures are:
- Nigeria vs Ghana – Monday
- Nigeria vs Togo – Thursday, July 30
- Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – Sunday, August 2
A strong start against Ghana could provide the momentum needed to secure qualification for the knockout stages.
Flying Eagles eye another regional crown
The Flying Eagles enter the tournament as defending champions and one of the favourites to lift the trophy once again.
With a balanced squad featuring exciting young talents, Coach Maikaba will be hoping his players can build on the confidence gained from victory over Athlétique Club de Zuénoula.
Beyond defending their regional title, the team’s primary objective remains securing qualification for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where Africa’s best youth teams will compete for continental honours and places at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
If Thursday’s disciplined display is anything to go by, Nigeria appears to be heading into the competition in encouraging form.
Supporters will now be hoping the Flying Eagles can carry that momentum into the tournament and begin their title defence with victory over Ghana in what promises to be an exciting West African derby.
