National Teams
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Begin WAFU B U-20 Title Quest with Ghana Derby
The long-standing football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will once again take centre stage when the Flying Eagles face the Black Satellites in their opening Group B fixture of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Monday, July 27, at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, with kick-off set for 2:00 p.m. local time.
The clash is expected to set the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive groups in the regional tournament, with Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo all vying for qualification to the knockout stage.
Following their meeting with the Flying Eagles, Ghana will face Burkina Faso on Thursday, July 30, before rounding off their group campaign against Togo on Sunday, August 2, at the Stade CKB.
Nigeria will also have to navigate the challenging group, knowing that every point could prove decisive in the race for a place in the semi-finals.
Group A comprises hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and Niger, with the three nations battling for the remaining qualification spot.
The WAFU B U-20 Championship will feature the seven member associations of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B and serves as an important platform for the region’s emerging talents to showcase their abilities.
For Nigeria and Ghana, however, the tournament opener carries added significance, with another chapter set to be written in one of African football’s fiercest rivalries. Both nations boast rich histories at youth level and will be eager to begin their campaigns with a statement victory.
