Flamingos Arrive in Côte d’Ivoire as Busari Names 20-Player Squad for WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament.

September 15, 2026

26d ago

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament. The Flamingos departed Abuja on Monday morning and will proceed to Yamoussoukro, where the tournament is scheduled to take place from September 15 to 28. Head coach Hakeem Busari has selected a 20-player squad for Nigeria’s campaign, with the competition serving as an important preparation exercise ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Nigeria will be among Africa’s four representatives at the World Cup alongside Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. The Flamingos have been drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, with the global tournament scheduled for October 17 to November 8. Flamingos’ Opening Match Changed: Nigeria were originally expected to face Ghana’s Princesses in their opening fixture, but the withdrawal of Benin Republic has led to a change in the schedule. The Flamingos will now begin their WAFU-B campaign against Niger Republic on Wednesday, while their highly anticipated clash with Ghana has been moved to Saturday. Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face Togo on Tuesday, while Ghana take on Burkina Faso. On Friday, Togo will meet Niger Republic, with Burkina Faso facing the host nation. Busari’s 20-Player Squad: Goalkeepers: Onyinyechi Opara (Delta Queens), Ifesinachi Iloh (Solo Wonders Academy), Mercy Felix (Obosa Academy). Defenders: Opeyemi Sunday (Nasarawa Amazons), Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo Queens), Esther Stephen (Unification Ladies), Elizabeth Adesuyi (Pacesetter Queens), Chidera Oparanmegwa (Bayelsa Queens), Temitope Ogunbunmi (Soccer Talent FC), Chisom Chukwuemeka (Diamond Stars Academy). Midfielders: Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy), Mary Dunstan (Bayelsa Queens), Adeola Bashiru (Confluence Queens), Kaosarat Akanji (Dream Star Ladies), Ebunoluwa Akinola (Unstoppable Academy). Forwards: Harmony Chidi (Bayelsa Queens), Oluebube Umejiaku (Heartland Queens), Sakirat Sarafa (Remo Stars Ladies), Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (FC Robo Queens), Destiny Itobore (Delta Queens). The WAFU-B tournament offers Busari and his technical crew an opportunity to assess the squad under competitive conditions, build cohesion and fine-tune preparations before the World Cup. With the Flamingos now in Côte d’Ivoire, attention turns to Wednesday’s opening encounter against Niger as Nigeria begins its pursuit of regional glory.

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