Nigeria’s Flamingos maintained their perfect start to the 2026 WAFU B U17 Girls Cup with a 4-2 victory over Ghana in a lively West African derby in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, Footynaija reports.
The win followed Nigeria’s 5-0 victory over Niger Republic in their opening match and gave coach Hakeem Busari’s side another strong result ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Nigeria and Ghana are among Africa’s representatives at the World Cup, which starts on 17 October.
Nigeria took control of Saturday’s match before half-time. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a well-struck effort, before captain Harmony Chidi doubled the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
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The Flamingos went into the break 2-0 ahead, but the game changed soon after the restart.
Elizabeth Adesuyi was sent off in the 59th minute after bringing down a Ghanaian attacker as the last defender. Ghana immediately took advantage of the extra player, with captain Seidatu Wahab reducing the deficit to 2-1 from the resulting free-kick three minutes later.
Nigeria responded instead of allowing Ghana to take control. Mary Dunstan restored the two-goal advantage in the 70th minute after beating her marker and rounding the goalkeeper.
Chidi thought she had scored again three minutes later, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Kaosarat Akanji then made it 4-1 in the 87th minute with a free-kick, leaving Ghana with too much ground to recover. Gloria A. Ameaa scored in the 90th minute, but Nigeria held on for a 4-2 win.
The result adds to Nigeria’s impressive opening against Niger, when Chidi scored in the 16th minute and Dunstan also found the net in a 5-0 victory.
The WAFU B tournament is also important preparation for both teams before the World Cup. Nigeria are in Group B in Morocco with North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland, while Ghana will face Canada, Brazil and Norway in Group C.
