WAFU B U-20: Maikaba unveils backroom team as Flying Eagles begin preparations
Newly appointed head coach of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria Abdu Maika has unveiled his selected backroom team ahead of preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Boys Championship set to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in the month of July.
Maikaba, who has managed several of Nigeria’s leading clubs and has previously worked as assistant coach of two-time FIFA World Cup silver medalists Flying Eagles, picked coaches Ortega Deniran (first assistant), Abdullahi Biffo (second assistant), and Usman Mohammed (goalkeepers’ trainer) to work with him in building a new Flying Eagles’ squad ahead of the WAFU B Championship.
The seasoned coach made the announcement on Thursday, ahead of the team’s resumption of camp in Abuja on Sunday, May 17, for the competition, which will serve as the qualification tournament for next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
This comes days after Maikaba vowed to build a formidable U-20 football team that will make Nigerians proud.
Maikaba, who made the vow in an interview with Brila FM on Monday stated that efforts are underway to identify talented young players who possess the quality, discipline and mentality required to compete at the U-20 level.
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The experienced tactician also stressed the importance of proper preparation and player development, noting that success at youth level requires long-term planning rather than short-term results.
He said; “I intend to go across the nation on a scouting mission to see players that are within the age limit that can be able to build a team in a very short period of time.
“That is my plan and I believe in a very short period of time we will assemble a crop of players that can make Nigeria proud.”
Nigeria has historically enjoyed success in youth football, particularly at the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, producing several stars who later progress to the senior national team, and Maikaba believes the next generation can continue that tradition with the right guidance and support.
