Maikaba: Flying Eagles driven to top WAFU B group despite semi-final place

Nigeria U20 manager Abdu Maikaba says the Flying Eagles are determined to beat Burkina Faso and finish top of their WAFU B U20 Tournament group, despite already securing a place in the semi-finals.

Nigeria have won both of their matches in Ivory Coast, defeating Ghana and Togo to guarantee their progress from the group stage. The defending champions have also impressed in attack, scoring seven goals across those two games.

They conceded twice in their opening match against Ghana but produced another victory to ensure that their final group fixture against Burkina Faso will not determine whether they advance.

Maikaba, speaking to the media on Saturday before the Burkina Faso match, said qualification had not reduced his players’ ambition. The coach wants his side to maintain their winning momentum and claim first place in the group by collecting another three points.

He also compared the mentality of the Flying Eagles with that of Nigeria’s senior national side, the Super Eagles, arguing that the country’s expectation of success is reflected throughout its international teams.

Maikaba pointed to Victor Osimhen, one of Nigeria’s established senior players, and Adeleke, who represents the country’s emerging talent at Under-20 level, as examples of the standards being maintained across the national-team structure.

“The Nigeria team is very similar to the Super Eagles, the senior national team, and you can expect results at any time with the likes of Osimhen in the senior national team and Adeleke in the U-20 national team. You can always expect good results,” Maikaba said.

The Nigeria coach added that the presence of Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle at the tournament had provided an additional incentive for the young players.

Chelle’s attendance has allowed him to watch the Flying Eagles in competitive action, while Maikaba believes his players are eager to impress the senior-team coach whenever he is present.

“His presence actually motivates the boys because, when they see him, they give their all so that he can learn more about them in game situations like this.

“That may give them the opportunity, perhaps in the future, to play for the senior national team.”

The WAFU B U20 Tournament is the regional qualifying competition for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Nigeria have a strong record in that tournament, having won it a record seven times.

The Flying Eagles’ immediate focus, however, is on completing the group stage strongly against Burkina Faso before turning their attention to the semi-finals. Their two victories so far have secured their place in the knockout phase, but Maikaba’s comments underline the team’s desire to enter it as group winners.