Nigeria’s Flamingos have arrived in Abidjan ahead of the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, Bold Sports reports.
The Nigerian U17 girls travelled from Abuja on Monday morning. They will continue their journey to Yamoussoukro, where the tournament will take place from September 15 to 28.
The Flamingos will now open their campaign against Niger Republic on Wednesday. The change follows Benin Republic’s withdrawal from the competition. Nigeria had initially been scheduled to face Ghana’s Princesses.
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The squad includes players from several Nigerian clubs and academies. They will use the tournament as important preparation for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria is one of four African representatives at the global tournament. Ghana, Kenya and Zambia are the other three teams.
Flamingos 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).
WAFU-B gives young referees tournament opportunity
While the Flamingos prepare for their opening match, WAFU-B has also announced a major refereeing development initiative.
The regional body selected 14 referees from its Young Talents refereeing course in Ghana. The officials will handle matches at the U17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro.
The development course took place at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram from March 21 to 25, 2026.
Two referees came from each of the seven countries within the WAFU-B zone. Their selection gives the young officials an opportunity to apply their training in competitive international matches.
The initiative also aims to motivate and encourage emerging referees across the region.
For the Flamingos, Wednesday’s meeting with Niger comes first. Their later clash with Ghana could provide another key test before the World Cup in Morocco.
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