Defending champions Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship with a high-profile clash against rivals Ghana in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Monday.
The encounter is a repeat of the 2024 final in Lomé, Togo, where the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites 2-1 to successfully retain the regional title under head coach Aliyu Zubairu.
Nigeria first won the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Niamey in 2022 under coach Isa Ladan Bosso before claiming a second consecutive title in Lomé two years later.
A victory over Ghana would give the seven-time African champions a strong start in Group B and boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
The Flying Eagles will face Togo in their second group match on July 30 at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time).
Nigeria will conclude their Group B campaign against Burkina Faso on August 2 at the same venue, with the match also set to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. Nigeria time).
Group B features Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso, while hosts Côte d’Ivoire are drawn in Group A alongside Benin Republic and Niger Republic.
The Flying Eagles will be aiming to continue their dominance in the competition as they seek a third consecutive WAFU B U-20 Championship title.
