Flamingos eye WAFU B title as World Cup prep

U-17 women’s national team, Flamingos

Nigeria’s Flamingos will use the second WAFU B U-17 Girls Tournament in Ivory Coast as a springboard for their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign, with coach Hakeem Busari targeting the title before heading to Morocco.

The Flamingos arrived in Ivory Coast on Monday for the regional tournament and will now face Niger Republic on Wednesday after the withdrawal of Benin Republic’s U-17 team.

The change means Nigeria will no longer face Ghana’s Princesses in their opening game, with the much-anticipated clash now scheduled for Saturday.

“This is the kind of tournament we want to win and build on it for the task ahead, which is the World Cup,” Busari said ahead of their opening match against Niger Republic.

• Yaya Toure becomes first African coach to lead club into Champions League
• Nigerian women’s football: Talent abundant, preparation bankrupt
• Nigeria qualify for 2026 U-17 Women’s World Cup

Busari selected 20 players for the tournament, which provides an important preparatory platform for Nigeria and Ghana, two of Africa’s four representatives at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Kenya and Zambia are the continent’s other representatives.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 8.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, while Ghana are in Group C with Canada, Brazil and Norway.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.