MiniFootball: Nigeria Intensifies Search for Squad Ahead of Inaugural African Women’s Championship

Posted : 25 August 2026

The Nigeria MiniFootball Association (NMA) has intensified preparations to assemble a formidable women’s national team for the inaugural Africa MiniFootball Confederation (AMC) Women’s Nations Cup scheduled for Yaounde, Cameroon, in late September.

Nigeria is among eight countries confirmed for the historic six-a-side competition, which will also serve as a qualifier for the World Minifootball Federation (WMF) Women’s World Cup.

The national team selection process gathered momentum over the weekend as players who progressed through earlier screening stages underwent further assessment by the technical crew at the Keke Primary School Playing Field.

Talents from the ongoing Lagos MiniFootball League were also brought into the selection exercise, providing the coaches with an opportunity to assess a wider pool of players before the final squad is announced.

According to a statement by Tayo Ogunseye, Assistant Media Director of the Nigeria MiniFootball Association, players selected from the screening exercise will feature in an exhibition match during the closing ceremony of the Lagos league, tagged “Agege 2026.”

The exhibition match is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30, with Agege Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, who also serves as Chairman of the Lagos State MiniFootball Association, expected to attend alongside other dignitaries.

NMA General Secretary, Sheriff Tajudeen, said the association was determined to identify the best available players and build a team capable of competing for the continental title.

Tajudeen said Nigeria’s status as a major sporting nation had increased the responsibility on the association to make a strong impression at the maiden AMC Women’s Nations Cup.

“We are indeed making good progress since we embarked on this process of developing MiniFootball. Nigeria is a big name in sports and as such, our reputation as the ‘Giant of Africa’ has placed us in a strategic position to make a mark and excel in what we do,” he said.

He added that the opportunity to compete in the inaugural continental championship had motivated the association to leave no stone unturned in its search for quality players capable of representing the country with distinction.

“That’s why all efforts are being directed at presenting a solid squad for the first Africa MiniFootball Confederation Women’s Nations Cup taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon. This opportunity excites us, that’s why we are not holding back at getting the best legs to wear the green-white-green colour of our flag,” Tajudeen said.

While expressing confidence in the selection process, the NMA general secretary identified funding as a major challenge confronting the association’s preparations.

He appealed to government sports authorities, individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support the team financially as Nigeria prepares to participate in the landmark championship.

“Funding is one of our major challenges. I’m using this opportunity to call on our sports authority, individuals, corporate enterprises and friends of MiniFootball to be our partners by giving us their financial support in making this task achievable,” he appealed.

Nigeria will compete alongside hosts Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya in the eight-team tournament.

With the competition also offering a pathway to the WMF Women’s World Cup, the NMA is expected to complete its selection process and preparations as it seeks to make a strong statement at the maiden continental championship.

MiniFootball: Nigeria Intensifies Search for Squad Ahead of Inaugural African Women’s Championship

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