WAFU B appeals to CAF for Nigeria’s U-20 AFCON slot

By Tosin Omojola

Hope is growing for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles to secure a place at the next CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after WAFU B formally appealed to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for an additional slot.

WAFU B has written to CAF, seeking the inclusion of Nigeria’s U-20 team in the tournament, which will be hosted by Ghana.

The appeal followed a decision by the four semi-finalists at the WAFU B U-20 Championship — Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Niger Republic — to push for an additional qualification slot for the zone.

In its letter, WAFU B cited the 2025 U-20 AFCON in Egypt as a precedent. Tunisia was added to the tournament after Côte d’Ivoire withdrew as hosts and Egypt took over the hosting rights.

The change expanded the 2025 tournament to 13 teams across Groups A, B and C.

WAFU B is now asking CAF to grant the zone a third representative, a move that would enable Nigeria to join the other qualifiers from the region.

CAF is expected to review the request, with a favourable decision potentially reviving the Flying Eagles’ hopes of competing at the continental tournament.