Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn in Group B of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, where they will face long-time rivals Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo.
The draw, conducted on Wednesday, July 15, placed Aliyu Zubairu’s team in a competitive group as they begin their quest to qualify for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Defending champions and tournament hosts Côte d’Ivoire will compete in Group A alongside Niger and the Benin Republic.
One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament will be the group-stage showdown between Nigeria and Ghana, two traditional West African football rivals with a rich history in youth competitions.
The WAFU B U20 Championship serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 U20 AFCON, which Ghana will host. The continental championship will feature 12 teams, with the four semi-finalists earning qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Nigeria enter the tournament with a strong pedigree in the competition. The Flying Eagles finished as runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2018 before winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2024.
In the 2022 tournament held in Niamey, Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-0 in the group stage, overcame Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals, and beat the Benin Republic 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy.
The Flying Eagles successfully defended their title in 2024 after edging Ghana 2-1 in the final in Lomé, with Kparobo Arierhi scoring both goals in the opening half.
Nigeria narrowly missed out on a third consecutive title at the last edition, losing 1-0 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire after conceding a dramatic stoppage-time winner in the final.