Flying Eagles defeat Ivorian side in final.tune-up for WAFU-B Championship
Nigeria's Flying Eagles wrapped up their final preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship on a winning note, defeating Ivorian Ligue 2 outfit Athlétique Club de Zuénoula 2-1 in a closed-door friendly at the INPHB Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.
Gift Subi handed the seven-time African champions the lead before substitute Muiz Adeleke came off the bench to score the decisive goal, ensuring a confidence-boosting victory for coach Aliyu Zubairu's side ahead of the regional tournament.
The friendly provided the Flying Eagles with a valuable final test as they fine-tune preparations for a competition they will be hoping to reclaim after lifting the trophy in 2024.
Nigeria will begin their campaign with a heavyweight clash against arch-rivals Ghana's Black Satellites at the Lycée Scientifique on Monday, a repeat of the 2024 final that promises to set the tone for the tournament.
The Flying Eagles will then face Togo's Sparrow Hawks on Thursday before concluding their Group B fixtures against Burkina Faso's Young Stallions on Sunday, August 2.
Buoyed by Thursday's victory, Nigeria will be aiming to carry that momentum into the championship as they chase regional glory and qualification for the 2027 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 CAF U20 AFCON, which will be hosted by Ghana. With the Black Satellites already guaranteed a place as hosts, the remaining teams will battle for the available qualification spots.
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