Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to tackle Baby Elephants for AFCON U20 ticket

The national under-20 team will need to overcome their Ivorian counterpart to book a place at the competition proper

Nigeria will trade tackles with Ivory Coast on Tuesday in the semifinal of the ongoing WAFU B Africa U20 Cup of Nations Qualification at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey, Niger Republic.

The Flying Eagles booked a spot in the last four of the tournament after drawing 2-2 with Burkina Faso’s young Stallions on Wednesday. The Ladan Bosso-tutored side had earlier defeated defending champions Ghana 2-0.

And Nigeria secured top spot in Group B after Burkina Faso carved out a narrow 2-1 win over Ghana’s Black Stars in a thrilling encounter on Saturday. The Eagles and the Stallions finished with four points apiece but the Nigerians had a better goal advantage. 

In Group A, high-flying Ivory Coast fell to a surprising 1-0 defeat to Benin to settle for second spot with six points, one fewer than the Beninese.

While leaders Benin will take on Burkina Faso, Nigeria will look to outsmart Ivory Coast for a ticket to the final and a slot at the African Cup of Nations.

A tough encounter awaits the Flying Eagles if recent encounters with the Baby Elephants are considered.

Two matches have been played between the two junior national teams within the last seven years, with both ending in draws.

The two finalists in Niamey will represent the zone in the 2023 U20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.