WAFU B U20 Tourney: Young Stallions stand between Flying Eagles and AFCON ticket, trophy

 Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles are up against the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday in the final match of this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship ongoing in the Ivorian city of Yamoussoukro.

While the seven-time African champions seek to retain their trophy, won in Lome in October 2024, Sunday’s encounter will also determine the second team from WAFU B zone to join hosts Ghana in the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals next year.

It is the second time the Abdu Maikaba–led side will battle the Burkinabes in this competition, both teams having met in the group stage with the Young Stallions winning 2-0. However, the two teams are meeting for the first time in the final of the regional competition with all previous meetings happening in the group stage.

In 2022, the Flying Eagles met the Young Stallions in Niger Republic, with the tie finishing in a 2-2 draw. When both teams clashed in 2024 in Lome, the Stallions pipped the Flying Eagles 1-0.

Coach Abdu Maikaba believes his side has the opportunity to avenge its reverse in the group stage. “I think this is an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves having lost to Burkina Faso in the group stage. Having played them before, we now have an idea of their shape and structure and we areworking on how to capitalize on their weaknesses, while also consolidatingon our own strength.”

Sunday”s clash will take place at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, starting at 7pm.