Nigeria Players Abroad
WAFU B U-20: Nigeria’s Adeleke, Lucky and Alfred named in Team of the Tournament
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have had three players selected for the WAFU B U-20 Team of the Tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, despite losing the final to Burkina Faso.
Muiz Adeleke, Oraro Lucky and Odinaka Alfred were included in the official XI, which was announced on the WAFU B U-20 X handle on Tuesday.
The team was selected in a 4-4-2 formation, with champions Burkina Faso providing the largest representation. Five players from the Junior Stallions were named, while Nigeria contributed three.
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire had two players selected and Niger Republic supplied one.
Alfred was chosen at the heart of the defence, forming part of the back four. Lucky was named in central midfield, while Adeleke was selected in attack.
Adeleke finished the regional competition as the leading scorer after registering five goals. However, his contribution was not enough to help the Flying Eagles retain the title, as Nigeria suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat by Burkina Faso in Sunday’s final.
The match was the second meeting between the sides at the tournament. Burkina Faso had already defeated Nigeria 2-0 in their final group-stage fixture before completing a second successive victory in the final.
Burkina Faso’s triumph secured the only qualification place available from the WAFU B tournament for next year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Nigeria had begun their campaign positively, beating Ghana 4-2 before recording a 3-0 victory over Togo. Their group-stage defeat by Burkina Faso meant they had to overcome Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-final to reach the final.
The semi-final was decided on penalties after the teams drew 2-2 following 90 minutes and extra time. The Flying Eagles prevailed 4-3 in the shootout.
They were unable to avenge the earlier group defeat in the final, however, as Burkina Faso produced another dominant performance to win 4-1.
The three Nigerian selections provide individual recognition for Adeleke, Lucky and Alfred, but Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations means the team will not be able to defend its regional success at the continental tournament.
Burkina Faso’s five representatives reflect their control of the competition and their unbeaten record against Nigeria, while the final victory confirmed the Junior Stallions as champions of the WAFU B U-20 tournament.
The Team of the Tournament was published under the title “2026 WAFU B U-20 Team Of The Tournament”.
By James Agberebi
