Nigeria's Flamingos have emerged champions of the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup, held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire. The team, led by Coach Akeem Busari, won the tournament by defeating their Togolese counterparts 4-0 in the final. The Flamingos won all their five matches, scoring a total of 17 goals and conceding only two throughout the tournament.
The final match saw Captain Harmony Chidi score twice from the penalty spot in the first period, while Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi scored in the 67th and 90th minutes, respectively. This victory marks a significant achievement for the team, with the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, commending the players and officials for their excellent performance.
The Flamingos' journey to the championship was impressive, with the team routing their counterparts from Niger Republic 5-0 in their first match, defeating Ghana 4-2, beating Burkina Faso 2-0, and sweeping past hosts Cote d'Ivoire 2-0 before Sunday's commanding win over Togo. This string of victories demonstrates the team's strength and potential ahead of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup.
Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme expressed his confidence in the team's abilities, stating that the Flamingos have made the nation proud and have the potential to achieve great things at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco. He also appreciated the WAFU-B headquarters for organizing the tournament as a premium preparatory event for the global competition.
The NFF's faith in the team is boosted by their impressive performance in the WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup. The Flamingos' victory is seen as a significant milestone ahead of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, which is set to start next month in Morocco. The team's bronze medal win in the 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup has raised expectations for their performance in the upcoming tournament.
The victorious Flamingos are expected to return to Nigeria on Tuesday. The team's success has generated excitement and anticipation among fans and officials, who are eager to see the team's performance in the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. With their impressive form and determination, the Flamingos are poised to make a strong impact in the global competition.
The 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls Cup has provided a valuable platform for the Flamingos to fine-tune their skills and gain experience ahead of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. The team's victory is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and teamwork, and they will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming global tournament.
Key points
- The Flamingos won all their five matches in the tournament, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two.
- The team defeated Togo 4-0 in the final, with Captain Harmony Chidi scoring twice and Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi scoring in the 67th and 90th minutes, respectively.
- The NFF is confident that the Flamingos will achieve great things at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, starting next month.
