Nigeria Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has expressed confidence in his team’s preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco 2026, insisting that the Nigerian girls are ready to compete against the world’s best and make the country proud.
Sports247 reports that the Flamingos will face Poland, Puerto Rico and North Korea in Group B of the global tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026.
With the competition fast approaching, Busari has emphasised the importance of proper player development, discipline, tactical organisation and mental preparation as Nigeria prepares for another appearance on the world stage.
Speaking about his approach to building a competitive squad, the Flamingos coach explained that identifying talented players represents only the beginning of the process.
According to him, preparing young footballers for international competition requires a combination of technical guidance, discipline, character development and continuous encouragement, Sports247 gathered.
“For every team, when you have thorough screening and inculcate your philosophy into the talents you have picked, you must let them understand what the game is all about,” Busari explained.
“It is a game of passion, strength and discipline. It is all about counselling, pushing them away from what is wrong to what is right, and getting them better ahead of challenges.”
The coach’s remarks underline his commitment to developing players who possess not only the technical qualities required to compete internationally but also the mental strength to handle pressure.
Flamingos Ready for Group B Challenge
Nigeria’s Group B opponents present different challenges, with Poland, Puerto Rico and North Korea all seeking to make their mark at the tournament.
However, Busari maintained that the Flamingos would approach every fixture with the same level of seriousness, regardless of their opponents’ reputation or previous achievements.
“We are all champions to be here. We respect every team, and we are not looking down on any team,” he stated.
“We want to approach every game with equal mentality and tactics.”
His comments suggest that Nigeria’s technical crew will prioritise preparation and tactical discipline rather than allowing expectations or reputations to influence their approach.
For the Flamingos, navigating the group stage successfully will require consistency, concentration and the ability to adapt to different playing styles.
‘We Want to Make Nigeria Proud’
Beyond the tactical preparations, Busari believes representing Nigeria at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup carries enormous responsibility for both the players and coaching staff.
The coach expressed satisfaction with the commitment demonstrated by his squad, describing the players as eager to represent the country’s green-white-green colours.
“We are playing on the biggest stage. The girls are ready and eager to represent the green-white-green, likewise us. We want to make Nigeria proud,” he declared.
His message reflects the ambition within the Flamingos camp as the team prepares to test itself against some of the world’s most promising young female footballers.
With the tournament beginning on October 17, attention will now turn towards final preparations, tactical adjustments and ensuring the squad is physically and mentally ready for the challenge.
For Busari, the objective extends beyond simply participating in the competition. He wants his players to demonstrate the discipline, passion and determination required to represent Nigeria with distinction.
As the countdown to Morocco 2026 continues, the Flamingos will hope to translate their preparation and confidence into performances capable of making Nigeria proud on the global stage.
