Nigeria's U20 team, the Flying Eagles, began their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign with a disappointing 0-1 loss to Burkina Faso in Togo, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The teams were deadlocked at halftime, Fandino Abib Coulibaly scored the only and the winning goal for Burkina Faso in the 66th minute to secure all three points.
The result sees Burkina Faso top Group B, with Cote D'Ivoire idle in the first round of matches.
The Flying Eagles will seek redemption against Ivory Coast in their next outing.
As reigning champions, having won the title in Niger Republic two years ago, the Flying Eagles are under pressure to bounce back and keep their title defense on track.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun