Bayelsa Queens head coach Ogbonda Whyte has raised concerns over the structure and intent of the four-nation tournament organised as part of preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
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Reacting to Nigeria facing Ivory Coast Women, Senegal Women and Ghana Women in the invitational competition, Whyte acknowledged the value of high-level matches but questioned the selection strategy.
“The idea of the tournament is good, but it could have been better used to widen the talent pool,” Whyte said. “This was an opportunity to build a separate squad and give more home-based players exposure, rather than relying on the same group again.”
The Bayelsa Queens coach argued that constant dependence on foreign-based players limits growth and depth, noting that previous eras deliberately assembled different squads for minor tournaments to strengthen overall capacity.
“Not every preparatory competition has to feature the same players,” he added. “We need inclusion and deliberate development. Home-based players deserve opportunities, and that’s how you build depth for the long term.”
Whyte’s comments add to the broader debate around squad rotation and development as the Super Falcons fine-tune preparations for WAFCON, where Nigeria will be chasing another continental title.
