2026 WAFU-B: ‘One More Step’ Busari Targets Perfect Finish, Title vs Togo
Nigeria’s Flamingos will target a perfect finish to their 2026 WAFU-B U17 Girls’ Cup campaign when they face Togo on Sunday in their final match at the INPHB Centre in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Flamingos have been outstanding throughout the tournament, winning all four of their matches against Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso and hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
They have scored 13 goals and conceded just two, putting themselves in a commanding position heading into the final day.
Akeem Busari’s side now need to avoid defeat against Togo to secure the title, while victory would complete a flawless campaign and underline their dominance in the regional competition.
Despite Nigeria’s impressive run, Busari insists his players will not underestimate their final opponents.
“As I said in the previous interview, all of us are champions until the last day. The Togo match is not an exception,” Busari told the press ahead of the game.
“We are not taking anything for granted. We want to play like we normally do, show the work we have done and we want to win.”
Busari: Every Game Has Taught Us Something
The Flamingos coach believes the value of the tournament extends beyond results, with every match providing different tactical and developmental lessons for his young squad.
Reflecting on the 2–0 victory over Côte d’Ivoire, Busari described the encounter as a physically demanding and tactically intense contest.
“Côte d’Ivoire is a very good side, physically, tactically and technically. They gave us good value for the game. It was a keenly contested affair between both teams,” he said.
“From the beginning to the 90 minutes, it was a total attacking, energy-sapping game, full of technicalities from both benches.”
Nigeria ultimately made better use of their opportunities, but Busari said the bigger objective was to learn from the experience.
“Our team is in progress. We are working; we are not there yet. The lesson we learned from Ghana is different from the one we learned from Côte d’Ivoire. The one we learned from Burkina Faso is not the one we learned from Niger.”
World Cup Preparation
With the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco approaching, Busari views the WAFU-B tournament as an important part of Nigeria’s preparations.
The demanding schedule has given the Flamingos five consecutive competitive matches and exposed the players to different styles, physical demands and tactical approaches.
“For every game, we jot down areas of deficiencies, tactical effects and corrections. All those things have been noted. After the tournament, we go back and start working on all those things,” Busari explained.
He also praised WAFU and CAF for providing the team with a competitive environment ahead of the global tournament.
“Coming here to play five straight good games within two weeks is something good for the girls. These are things we are going to face in the next couple of weeks in the World Cup.”
Busari expects the World Cup to present a different challenge but believes the lessons from Côte d’Ivoire will prove valuable.
“There are going to be differences between African and European football, but football is football. It is the same language; only the approach and mentality may differ.”
One More Step
The Flamingos have already established themselves as the team to beat in Yamoussoukro. Now, Togo stands between Nigeria and a perfect ending to an impressive regional campaign.
For Busari, however, Sunday is not simply about completing the job. It is another opportunity for his players to test themselves, correct weaknesses and continue building towards Morocco.
The Flamingos want the trophy, but they also want the final lesson.
