Flying Eagles head coach Abdu Maikaba believes Nigeria have a chance to avenge their group-stage defeat to Burkina Faso when both sides meet in the final of the WAFU B U-20 Championship on Sunday, NigeriaSoccernet.com reports.
The seven-time African champions will battle the Young Stallions at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, hoping to end the tournament with the regional title.
Burkina Faso defeated Nigeria 2-0 during the group stage, but Maikaba believes that experience will give his team valuable knowledge ahead of the decisive encounter.
“I think this is an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves, having lost to Burkina Faso in the group stage. Having played them before, we now have an idea of their shape and structure, and we are working on how to capitalise on their weaknesses, while also consolidating on our own strength,” Maikaba said.
Sunday’s encounter will be the first time Nigeria and Burkina Faso have faced each other in the final of the regional competition, with their previous meetings coming at the group-stage level.
Beyond the trophy, the match carries additional significance as the result will determine the second WAFU B representative to qualify for next year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals alongside hosts Ghana.
Nigeria will therefore be aiming to turn their earlier disappointment against Burkina Faso into victory when the two West African heavyweights meet for the regional crown.