There is all to play for when defending champions Nigeria’s Flying Eagles take to the pitch against their West African neighbours on Sunday
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles return to action on Sunday, July 13, when they face Benin Republic in a must-win Group A clash at the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Championship in Ghana, Soccernet.ng reports.
After a spirited 1-1 draw against hosts Ghana in their opening fixture, the defending champions know that victory will guarantee passage to the semi-finals.
Benin, meanwhile, are playing their first match of the competition, having observed a rest day on matchday one due to the three-team format in Group A.
A win for either side secures progression, making this a high-stakes encounter for both nations.
Team news
Nigeria will be without Kparobo Arierhi and Auwal Ibrahim, two dynamic talents who have added bite to their recent outings.
However, head coach Aliyu Zubairu retains faith in his squad’s depth, especially with Divine Oliseh and captain Daniel Bameyi expected to play key roles in midfield and in defence.
The Flying Eagles showed resilience against Ghana, equalising late through a powerful header by Muhammed Abdullahi after trailing to Aziz Misbau’s opener.
That fightback highlighted their championship mettle and Zubairu will hope for a sharper start this time.
Benin may be the underdogs, but with fresh legs and nothing to lose, the Young Cheetahs could pose a challenge.
Historically, though, Nigeria hold the better pedigree at this level — boasting seven U20 AFCON titles, two FIFA U20 World Cup final appearances, and a recent bronze from the U20 AFCON.
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Match details
- Tournament: 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Championship
- Fixture: Nigeria U20 vs Benin U20
- Date: Sunday, July 13
- Time: 3:00 pm (Nigeria time)
- Venue: Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram, Ghana
Prediction – Flying Eagles win
With experience, pedigree, and momentum on their side, Nigeria are clear favourites. However, the pressure of qualification adds a psychological edge.
Expect the Flying Eagles to dominate possession and create chances, but they must remain defensively alert against a well-rested Benin side.
- Predicted scoreline: Nigeria 2-0 Benin Republic