The Flying Eagles of Nigeria began their 2024 WAFU B U-20 Championship campaign on a disappointing note, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Burkina Faso in their opening match.
In a lackluster performance at the Stade Municipal in Lome, Aliyu Zubairu’s team struggled to find their rhythm. Despite some shaky moments, they were fortunate to go into halftime without conceding, thanks in large part to a crucial save by goalkeeper Nathanial Nwosu, who kept the score level.
However, Burkina Faso’s Fandino Abib Coulibaly broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, netting the decisive goal that left the Nigerian team searching for answers.
With this loss, the Flying Eagles now face a must-win situation in their final group match against Cote d’Ivoire. Victory is essential if they hope to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament. The critical clash is scheduled to take place at the Stade Municipal next Thursday.
The pressure is on for the Nigerian squad to bounce back and keep their championship hopes alive.
