Maikaba Appointed New Flying Eagles Head Coach

Former Wikki Tourists technical adviser Abdul Maikaba has been named the new head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 men’s national team, the Flying Eagles.

According to reports from Score Nigeria, Maikaba is set to replace Aliyu Zubairu, who guided the team to the second round of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile last year. Zubairu, appointed in September 2024, oversaw a period of resurgence for the team, leading them to victory at the WAFU B U-20 Championship and securing qualification for both the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Under his leadership, the Flying Eagles defeated Ghana 2–1 in the WAFU B final in Togo, earning a reputation for tactical discipline.

Maikaba, a former assistant coach of the Flying Eagles, brings extensive experience from both domestic and international football. The Kano-born coach, who holds a background in physics and advanced CAF coaching certifications, has previously managed several top Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs, including Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars, Enugu Rangers, Akwa United, and Plateau United.