Nigeria's Flying Eagles will launch their defence of the WAFU B U-20 Championship title against Ghana's Black Satellites in what promises to be a fiercely contested Group B opener on Monday, 27 July, at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire.

The meeting between the two sides carries extra weight — it is a direct rematch of the 2024 final, in which the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites 2-1 to claim the title. The stakes are just as high this time around, with both teams hungry to set the tone for the tournament from the first whistle.

Group stage schedule

After that opening encounter, Abdu Maikaba's squad returns to the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro on Thursday, 30 July, to face Togo's Junior Sparrow Hawks in their second Group B fixture.

Nigeria complete their group-stage programme on Sunday, 2 August, at the same venue when they take on Burkina Faso's Young Stallions. All three of the Flying Eagles' group matches will be played at the Lycée Scientifique de Yamoussoukro.

What is at stake

The 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship doubles as a qualifying competition for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, adding an extra layer of importance to every result in Yamoussoukro.

The Flying Eagles are expected to depart Nigeria on Monday following several weeks of intensive preparation and player-screening sessions held in Abuja. Maikaba's side arrives in Côte d'Ivoire as the team to beat — and the Black Satellites will be eager to avenge their final defeat from two years ago.