Maikaba targets U-20 AFCON ticket against Ivory Coast

Flying Eagles head coach Abdul Maikaba is confident his side will bounce back from their recent setback at the WAFU B U-20 Championship when they face hosts Ivory Coast in Wednesday’s decisive clash for a place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Flying Eagles were beaten 2-0 by Burkina Faso in their final group game on Sunday, missing out on the chance to top the group and setting up a semi-final clash against the hosts.

Although Maikaba’s team booked an early ticket to the knockout stage after beating Ghana and Togo in their first two games, they needed at least a draw against Burkina Faso to finish top of the group and secure a more favourable semi-final pairing.

However, they will face hosts Ivory Coast on Wednesday, while Burkina Faso will take on Niger in the other semi-final.

Only the semi-final winners will qualify for the 2027 U-20 AFCON, which will be played in Ghana, and Maikaba is upbeat about Nigeria’s chances.

“Football is about learning, responding, and showing character in difficult moments. We will learn from this setback, stay united, and shift our full focus to the semi-final against hosts Ivory Coast.

Our belief remains strong, our spirit unbroken, and our mission unchanged,” Maikaba said on Monday in the wake of their defeat to Burkina Faso.

Nigeria are seven-time champions of the U-20 AFCON, and Maikaba, who was recently handed the job, will be hoping to lead the team to Ghana next year.

The tournament will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan.