Maikaba targets U-20 AFCON ticket against Ivory Coast

n n

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.

n

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.

n

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.

n

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

n

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.

n

“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.

n

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

n

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.

n

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

n n