Flying Eagles head coach Abdu Maikaba has stressed that his team must be ready to work hard if they are to succeed at the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship, a tournament that doubles as qualification for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will compete against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Togo, and Niger Republic, with the top finishers earning places at the continental finals.

Writing on X, Maikaba expressed confidence in his squad’s potential but was careful to stress that ability alone won’t be enough. He said his players will need to combine their talent with discipline, hard work, and a winning mentality if they are to compete successfully against some of West Africa’s strongest youth sides.

He also cautioned his squad to expect a tougher test than in previous years, noting that standards across the region continue to rise as countries invest more heavily in developing their youth football. Maikaba said the Flying Eagles are not yet where they need to be, adding that every opponent at WAFU B arrives with quality players and genuine determination to qualify, which means Nigeria must keep raising their own standards across every aspect of their game.