The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B has selected 14 referees from the regional ‘Young Talents’ refereeing course held in Ghana six months ago to officiate at the second edition of the WAFU-B U-17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, from September 15 to 28.
The initiative is aimed at motivating, encouraging and inspiring young referees who participated in the course held at the Ghanaian Centre of Excellence in Prampram from March 21 to 25, 2026.
Two referees were selected from each of the seven countries in the WAFU-B zone.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, have arrived in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, en route to Yamoussoukro for the tournament, following their departure from Abuja on Monday morning.
Coach Hakeem Busari selected 20 players for the competition, which serves as a major preparatory tournament for Nigeria and Ghana, the two WAFU-B representatives among Africa’s four teams at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals. Kenya and Zambia are the continent’s other representatives.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 8. Nigeria are drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, while Ghana will face Canada, Brazil and Norway in Group C.
Following the withdrawal of Benin Republic from the WAFU-B tournament, the Flamingos will now face Niger Republic in their opening match on Wednesday, instead of Ghana’s Princesses.
On Tuesday, hosts Cote d’Ivoire will take on Togo, while Ghana will face Burkina Faso. On Friday, Togo will play Niger Republic, while Burkina Faso will confront the host nation.
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).
