By our reporter 10.8.2026
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the second time in a row will not be at the FIFA U-20 World Cup after being thrashed 4-1 by Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.
Flying Eagles coach Abdu Maikaba failed to make the right call against the same Burkina Faso that beat his team 2-0 in the group stage. In the final decided at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, the Flying Eagles conceded three first half goals, effectively killing off their desire to fight. Burkina Faso added the fourth in second half and a consolation goal was not enough to bail Nigeria out their predicament.
The defeat means Nigeria is out of the the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Burkina Faso picks the ticket for U-20 AFCON where the World Cup tickets is at stake.
The Flying Eagles had reached the final by beating hosts Côte d’Ivoire in a dramatic semi-final shootout after 4-3 win. Burkina Faso, meanwhile, reached the final unbeaten after defeating Niger 2-0 in their semi-final.