WAFU B U20: Flying Eagles Target Early Semi-Final Ticket Against Togo

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will aim to secure an early place in the semi-finals of the WAFU B U20 Championship when they face Togo’s Sparrow Hawks in their second Group B match in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Thursday.

The defending champions opened their campaign with an impressive 4-2 victory over West African rivals Ghana on Monday to move top of Group B on goal difference.

Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions also began with a win, defeating Togo 3-1 to leave the Sparrow Hawks needing a positive result against Nigeria to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will qualify for the last four with victory on Thursday, setting up a potentially decisive group encounter with Burkina Faso on Sunday.

Nigeria’s victory over Ghana was powered by a brace from Muiz Adeleke, both from the penalty spot, while Olayemi Ayinla and Lucky Oraro also found the net.

Ghana’s goals came through captain Kelvin Nkrumah from the spot and Mohammed Zaidan, who was assisted by Nkrumah.

The Flying Eagles are also focused on securing qualification for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, making Thursday’s encounter crucial to their campaign.

A win would take Nigeria to six points and leave the defending champions in a strong position ahead of their final Group B fixture against the Young Stallions on Sunday.