Nigeria U-17 women’s national team head coach Hakeem Busari has described the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup in Côte d’Ivoire as a crucial part of the Flamingos’ preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. 

The Flamingos are using the regional tournament to gain valuable competitive experience, assess their strengths and weaknesses and continue building the squad ahead of the global championship scheduled for October.

Nigeria arrived in Côte d’Ivoire with a 20-player squad after departing Abuja on Monday, with the team moving on to Yamoussoukro for the tournament. 

The fixture schedule was adjusted following Benin Republic’s withdrawal, with Nigeria now set to face Niger Republic in their opening game on Wednesday, September 16, before meeting Ghana on Saturday. 

Speaking ahead of the opening match, Busari said the competition would expose his players to the demands and pressures associated with higher-level football while allowing them to continue developing as a team.

“This is a preparatory stage for us. We are preparing for the World Cup, so we want to go to the top and also get familiar with the nature, the pressure and the important points that come with this kind of competition,” Busari said. 

The coach, however, stressed that Nigeria are not approaching the WAFU-B tournament merely as a training exercise, with the Flamingos also targeting a strong run and ultimately the title.

Busari said every match would provide an opportunity for the technical crew to learn more about the players while improving the team’s tactical and competitive readiness ahead of the World Cup.

He also acknowledged the rapid development of women’s football across Africa, noting that the increasing level of competition makes regional tournaments increasingly valuable for young players.

He added that the experience in Côte d’Ivoire could help the Flamingos identify areas requiring improvement before they face opponents from outside Africa at the World Cup.

The Flamingos secured their place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Benin Republic 5-3 in the second leg of their final qualifying tie, completing an 8-5 aggregate victory. 

At the World Cup in Morocco, Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, with the tournament scheduled for October 17 to November 8. 

For Busari and his players, the WAFU-B campaign therefore provides a timely competitive test as the Flamingos seek to sharpen their tactical approach, build confidence and develop the cohesion required for their World Cup challenge.