Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are set to face Niger in the semifinals of the WAFU B U20 Boys Championship, currently taking place in Ghana.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu‘s team advanced to the knockout stage after topping Group A, having earned a 1-1 draw with hosts Ghana in their opening game and sealing a dominant 4-1 victory over Benin Republic in their second group match.
With just three teams in Group A, the final fixture saw Ghana edge Benin 1-0, confirming Nigeria as group winners and Ghana as runners-up.
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Meanwhile, Group B concluded on Thursday, July 17, with Cote d’Ivoire finishing top after an impressive run that included wins over Niger, Burkina Faso, and Togo.
Niger secured the runners-up spot with a goalless draw against Burkina Faso, having earlier beaten Togo 1-0. That result knocked out Togo, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
The semifinal pairings are now set: Nigeria will clash with Niger, while Ghana take on Cote d’Ivoire in what promises to be a fiercely competitive West African youth football showcase.
The Flying Eagles head into the semifinal with momentum on their side, buoyed by their recent third-place finish at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations. That achievement has already booked their spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile scheduled for May next year.
Still, Nigeria are not taking their foot off the pedal. The defending WAFU B champions — who edged Ghana 2-1 in last year’s final — will aim to retain their crown and continue building momentum ahead of their global campaign.
With a strong blend of experience and youthful hunger, Coach Zubairu’s side will hope to power past Niger and book their place in the final once more.
