WAFU-B Picks 14 Young Referees as Flamingos Arrive for U17 Girls Tournament
The West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU-B) has handed 14 young referees a major opportunity by selecting them to officiate at the second WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Two referees from each of the seven countries in the zone were picked from the Young Talents refereeing course held at the Ghanaian Centre of Excellence in Prampram from March 21 to 25.
The initiative is aimed at motivating and encouraging young match officials while providing them with valuable experience at a regional competition.
The tournament will take place in Yamoussoukro from September 15 to 28.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Flamingos have arrived in Abidjan ahead of their trip to Yamoussoukro after departing Abuja on Monday morning.
Coach Hakeem Busari has selected 20 players for the tournament, which will provide Nigeria with crucial preparation ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria and Ghana are among Africa’s four representatives at the World Cup, alongside Kenya and Zambia.
The World Cup will run from October 17 to November 8, with Nigeria drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland. Ghana are in Group C with Canada, Brazil and Norway.
The Flamingos will now open their WAFU-B campaign against Niger Republic on Wednesday following the withdrawal of Benin Republic from the competition.
Nigeria were originally scheduled to face Ghana’s Princesses in their opening game.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face Togo on Tuesday, while Ghana take on Burkina Faso. On Friday, Togo will play Niger Republic and Burkina Faso will confront Côte d’Ivoire.
The eagerly anticipated Nigeria-Ghana clash will now take place on Saturday.
For the Flamingos, the tournament offers Busari an opportunity to assess his squad and fine-tune preparations before Nigeria’s World Cup campaign in Morocco.
Flamingos Squad for 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament
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).
