Nigeria’s Flying Eagles head coach, Abdu Maikaba, has expressed satisfaction with his team’s preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, while insisting that every player must continue to earn his place through hard work and discipline.
Speaking during the team’s build-up to the regional tournament, Maikaba praised the commitment shown by his players since the start of camp.
“I am satisfied with the progress the boys have made since we started our preparations. They have shown commitment, discipline, and a strong desire to improve every day. The response from the players has been very encouraging, and that gives us confidence as a technical crew.”
The coach, however, stressed that the team still has significant work to do before the competition begins.
“We are not where we want to be yet. There is still a lot of work ahead of us because the WAFU B Championship is always highly competitive. Every country will arrive with quality players and a determination to qualify, so we must continue raising our standards in every aspect of our game.”
Maikaba highlighted the key areas his technical crew is focusing on as they prepare to defend Nigeria’s regional title.
“Football at this level is decided by small details. We are working on our tactical discipline, our decision-making in key moments, our fitness levels, and our understanding as a team. Improvement is a continuous process, and I expect every player to remain focused and committed throughout this journey.”
The former Akwa United coach also warned that no player should assume his place in the squad is guaranteed.
“Nobody should feel comfortable. Every player must continue to earn his place through hard work, consistency, and dedication.
Representing Nigeria is a privilege, and wearing the Flying Eagles jersey comes with great responsibility. I want every player to understand what it means to play for this country.”
Maikaba reiterated that the team’s objective is to qualify for the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and make Nigerians proud.
“Our objective is clear, to build a team that Nigerians will be proud of. We want to arrive in Côte d’Ivoire fully prepared, compete with confidence, and achieve our qualification target.
The players understand our expectations, and I believe they have the quality to keep improving if they remain committed to the process.”
