Fourteen young referees have been chosen to officiate at the second WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro from 15 to 28 September, while Nigeria’s Flamingos have reached Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the competition.
Key takeaways
- The selected officials come from a development course held in Prampram, Ghana, in March 2026.
- Two referees were nominated from each of the seven countries in the WAFU-B zone.
- Nigeria’s 20-player squad travelled from Abuja and is preparing for the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
- The Flamingos will open against Niger after Benin Republic withdrew, delaying their meeting with Ghana.
- Nigeria and Ghana are among Africa’s four representatives at the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Refereeing opportunity for young officials
The West African Football Union Zone B has picked 14 referees from the regional Young Talents programme to handle matches at the tournament in Yamoussoukro. The course was staged at the Centre of Excellence in Prampram, Ghana, between 21 and 25 March 2026.
The appointments are intended to reward and encourage the emerging officials who attended the Ghana programme. Each of the zone’s seven member countries has supplied two referees for the tournament.
Flamingos prepare for revised schedule
Nigeria’s U17 women’s team arrived in Abidjan after departing Abuja on Monday. The Flamingos will continue their journey to Yamoussoukro for the second staging of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament.
Head coach Hakeem Busari has selected 20 players for the event, which will provide valuable preparation for Nigeria and Ghana before the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. The two WAFU-B nations are among Africa’s four representatives at the finals, alongside Kenya and Zambia.
Morocco will stage the global tournament from 17 October to 8 November. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B with North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, while Ghana’s Group C opponents are Canada, Brazil and Norway.
Benin Republic’s withdrawal has altered Nigeria’s opening assignment. Rather than facing Ghana’s Princesses, the Flamingos will meet Niger Republic on Wednesday.
In the other fixtures scheduled for today, hosts Côte d’Ivoire will play Togo, while Ghana will face Burkina Faso. Friday’s programme features Togo against Niger Republic and Burkina Faso versus Côte d’Ivoire.
The anticipated contest between Nigeria and Ghana will therefore take place on Saturday instead.
Nigeria squad for the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup
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
