Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn against Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo in Group B of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
The draw, conducted on Wednesday, placed hosts and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire in Group A alongside Niger and Benin Republic, while Nigeria headlined Group B.
The group sets up another clash between the Flying Eagles and Ghana’s Black Satellites, renewing one of West Africa’s fiercest youth football rivalries.
Burkina Faso and Togo complete the group, with the teams battling for qualification to the 2027 U20 AFCON, which will be hosted by Ghana.
The continental championship will feature 12 teams, with the four semi-finalists qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Nigeria head into the tournament with one of the strongest records in the competition’s history.
The Flying Eagles reached the final of the inaugural edition in 2018, won their first WAFU B title in 2022 and successfully defended it in 2024.
At the 2022 tournament in Niamey, Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-0 in the group stage before beating Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals and Benin Republic 3-1 in the final.
In 2024, the Flying Eagles retained the title after edging Ghana 2-1 in the final in Lomé, with Kparobo Arierhi scoring both first-half goals.
Nigeria narrowly missed out on a third consecutive title at the last edition after losing 1-0 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final following a stoppage-time goal.
The Flying Eagles will now begin preparations for the regional championship as they target another WAFU B title and qualification for the 2027 U20 AFCON.
