Flying Eagles Arrive in Côte d’Ivoire for WAFU B U20 Championship, Face Ghana in Opener

Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro, Côte d in Abidjan on Monday before completing the journey to Yamoussoukro by road. The team is camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel as rekindles a familiar rivalry, with the Flying Eagles having defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the previous edition, coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will take on Togo’s Sparrow Hawks on Thursday.

Nigeria landed in Abidjan on Monday before completing the journey to Yamoussoukro by road. The team is camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel as preparations intensify for their opening Group B clash against Ghana’s Black Satellites at the Lycée Scientifique on Monday afternoon.

The encounter rekindles a familiar rivalry, with the Flying Eagles having defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the previous edition in Lomé to lift the regional title.

After the Ghana fixture, coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will take on Togo’s Sparrow Hawks on Thursday before rounding off their group campaign against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on Sunday, August 2.

Flying Eagles squad for the WAFU B U20 Championship
Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves)
Defenders: Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy)
Midfielders: Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alavés), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First), Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan)
Forwards: Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars)

The Flying Eagles will be aiming to retain their WAFU B crown and build momentum ahead of upcoming continental assignments.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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