The West African Football Union Zone B has selected 14 referees from its regional Young Talents course to officiate at the 2nd edition of the WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro from 15th–28th September.
Two referees have been chosen from each of the seven countries in the zone, rewarding participants in the development course held at the Ghanaian Centre of Excellence in Prampram from 21st–25th March 2026.
The initiative is intended to motivate, encourage and inspire the young officials who took part in the programme six months ago.
Nigeria’s U17 team, the Flamingos, have also reached Abidjan after departing Abuja on Monday morning. They will continue their journey to Yamoussoukro for the tournament.
Coach Hakeem Busari has named a 20-player squad for the competition, which will provide important preparation for Nigeria and Ghana ahead of this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.
Nigeria and Ghana are two of Africa’s four representatives at the finals, alongside Kenya and Zambia. Morocco will host the tournament from 17th October–8th November.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B with North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, while Ghana will compete in Group C against Canada, Brazil and Norway.
The Flamingos’ opening fixture in the WAFU-B tournament has changed following the withdrawal of Benin Republic’s U17 team. Nigeria will now face Niger Republic on Wednesday, rather than Ghana’s Princesses.
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will play Togo on Tuesday, while Ghana meet Burkina Faso on the same day. On Friday, Togo will take on Niger Republic and Burkina Faso will face the host nation.
The meeting between Nigeria and Ghana will now take place on Saturday.
Flamingos squad for 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)