Nigeria will take on Cote d’Ivoire today in their final group game of the WAFU B U-20 Championship, needing a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Aliyu Zubairu’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opening fixture, leaving them in a precarious position in the three-team group.

With both Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso tied on three points, a draw would be enough to send the Ivorians through to the semi-finals, eliminating Nigeria.

In an interview with Brila.net, former Nigerian footballer Duke Udi emphasized the importance of the team’s mental preparation, urging the players to take charge of their destiny.

“The coach just needs to work on the positives and psych the team. The boys should understand that if they want to succeed in football and make things happen, they need to do it for themselves, their families, and for Nigeria. Everything is possible,” Udi said.

Udi further stressed the need for early goals to increase their chances of advancing. The boys must score at least two goals against Cote d’Ivoire if they want to qualify for the semi-final.

“Two goals are not too difficult. Once you get the first, the second will follow. But if they concede first, it will become a big problem because then they’ll need three goals.”

The WAFU U-20 Championship serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to be held in South Africa early next year.

Only the finalist of this tournament will automatically qualify for AFCON. This AFCON edition will also act as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

For Nigeria to stay on course for these major tournaments, victory today is non-negotiable.