Nigeria Flamingos Draw Ghana, Togo and Niger in WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup

Nigeria’s Flamingos have been drawn in Group B of the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, where they will face familiar West African opponents Ghana, Togo and Niger.

The regional tournament is scheduled to take place from September 15 to 27, 2026, providing Nigeria with a major competitive test ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco later this year.

Flamingos’ Group B Opponents

🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇬🇭 Ghana
🇹🇬 Togo
🇳🇪 Niger

Hosts Côte d’Ivoire will compete in Group A alongside Burkina Faso and Benin.

For Nigeria, the draw has produced an especially interesting group because Ghana are not only regional rivals but also the team that denied the Flamingos the inaugural WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup title.

Nigeria Reached the Final in 2024

The Flamingos were finalists in the first edition of the WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup in 2024.

Nigeria produced an impressive campaign before meeting Ghana in the final. The match ended 2-2 after regulation time, with Ghana eventually winning on penalties to claim the inaugural title.

Nigeria also recorded a commanding 9-0 victory over Niger during the 2024 competition, with Shakirat Moshood scoring four goals and Janet Akekoromowei completing a hat-trick.

The Flamingos will therefore meet two opponents they have already faced in the competition, while Togo will provide another important test.

A Crucial World Cup Preparation Tournament

The timing of the competition could be particularly valuable for Nigeria.

The Flamingos have already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after defeating Benin Republic 8-5 on aggregate in the final round of African qualifying.

Nigeria won the first leg 3-2 before completing the job with a 5-3 victory in the second leg. Queen Joseph scored a hat-trick in the return fixture.

With the World Cup coming later in the year, the WAFU B tournament gives head coach Akeem Busari and his players an opportunity to face competitive opposition before heading to the global stage.

The matches against Ghana, Togo and Niger should provide valuable minutes, tactical tests and an opportunity to assess players ahead of the World Cup.

For a young team, that competitive exposure can be just as important as training.

Ghana Will Be a Major Test

The group-stage meeting with Ghana immediately stands out.

The Black Maidens also qualified for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, securing their place after defeating Senegal on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

That makes the Nigeria-Ghana fixture more than just another group game.

It will bring together two of West Africa’s leading youth women’s football programmes, while also giving both teams a chance to measure themselves against a familiar regional rival before the World Cup.

Flamingos Target Another Strong Campaign

Nigeria’s objective will be to go beyond their 2024 runners-up finish and challenge for the WAFU B title this time around.

But the bigger picture is the World Cup.

The Flamingos will use the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire to sharpen their squad, test their tactical options and build momentum before the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The road begins with Ghana, Togo and Niger.

And with a World Cup waiting on the other side, the Flamingos will have plenty to play for.