Flamingos Face Ghana in WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship Opener

Posted : 11 September 2026

Nigeria's Flamingos will begin their 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship campaign against West African rivals Ghana on Wednesday, September 16.

The Group B encounter will be played at the CKB Stadium in Côte d'Ivoire. The tournament will run from September 15 and will also serve as the qualifying competition for the 2027 U-17 Girls Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria and Ghana have been drawn alongside Togo and Niger in Group B. The opening fixture therefore gives both traditional youth football powers an immediate test before their remaining group matches.

Ghana's Black Maidens will also enter the contest with high expectations. The Ghana Football Association confirmed that Nigeria will be their first opponent as they target qualification for next year's continental championship.

The Flamingos have a strong reputation in African women's youth football and will be expected to challenge for the regional title. Ghana, however, have already demonstrated their ability to compete with Nigeria at this level.

The Black Maidens defeated the Flamingos on penalties in the final of the inaugural WAFU Zone B U-17 Girls Cup. Ghana recovered from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 before winning the shootout 5-4.

That history adds extra significance to the September 16 meeting. Both teams will want to establish an early advantage in a group that also contains Togo and Niger.

Togo have been preparing for the tournament with a final training camp in Lomé. Their Football Federation confirmed that the team is using the final stage of preparations to work on its technical, tactical, physical and mental readiness.

Nigeria's preparations have also produced an encouraging result. The Flamingos recently defeated Diamond Stars Sporting Queens 11-0 in an Abuja friendly, with Mary Dunstan scoring three times and Harmony Chidi netting four goals. The result provided a strong attacking boost before their departure for Côte d'Ivoire.

The tournament carries importance beyond regional bragging rights. Progress through the competition will determine which WAFU B teams earn places at the 2027 U-17 Girls AFCON.

Nigeria will therefore be targeting a strong start against Ghana before turning its attention to Togo and Niger. A positive result would strengthen the Flamingos' position in the group and provide early momentum in their pursuit of regional success and continental qualification.

Flamingos Face Ghana in WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship Opener

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