The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have announced a 23-man squad for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship, with head coach Abdu Maikaba selecting a blend of home-based and overseas talents for the regional tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
The competition, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, gets underway this weekend. Nigeria’s contingent has already arrived in Yamoussoukro, where preparations have intensified ahead of their opening fixture.
As defending champions, the Flying Eagles will be aiming to retain the title they won in the previous edition after defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final.
Maikaba’s squad features players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) alongside promising youngsters based in Europe. Among the standout names are Wahab Musa of FC Malaga, Imrana Muhammad of Deportivo Alavés, Rufai Abubakar of Croatian side NK Istra 1961, and Lawani Clinton of Sporting Lagos.
Flying Eagles 23-Man Squad
- Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos)
- Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves)
- Wahab Musa (FC Malaga)
- Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze)
- Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy)
- Somto Nnoli (Akwa United)
- Samson Joshua (Galadima FC)
- Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme)
- Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC)
- Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy)
- Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alavés)
- Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists)
- Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors)
- Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists)
- Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves)
- Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961)
- Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First)
- Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan)
- Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC)
- Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme)
- Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC)
- Gift Subi (P Sport Academy)
- Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars)
Nigeria’s Group Fixtures
The Flying Eagles begin their campaign against Ghana on July 27 at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro. They will then face Togo on July 30 before concluding the group stage against Burkina Faso on August 2.
With a place at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations at stake, Nigeria will be looking to build on its rich youth football tradition and successfully defend its WAFU B crown. The mix of experienced NPFL players and emerging overseas-based prospects gives the Flying Eagles a strong platform to challenge for another regional title.
