The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has approved the appointment of Akeem Ishola Busari as the new Head Coach of the U17 Girls National Team, the Flamingos, following a recommendation by its Technical and Development Committee.

 

Busari takes over from Bankole Olowookere, who has overseen the team for several years and guided the Flamingos to a historic bronze medal finish at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.

 

The newly appointed coach brings significant experience and a strong grasp of women’s football development in Nigeria. His immediate focus will be steering the Flamingos through the qualification series for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to be hosted in Morocco.

 

Nigeria’s U17 girls are scheduled to enter the qualifiers in the next round, where they will face the winner of the preliminary tie between Niger and Guinea. The first leg of that encounter is expected to take place away from home in the third week of next month.

 

Busari currently serves as Head Coach of Pacesetter Queens Football Club, and his appointment is seen as part of the NFF’s broader strategy to sustain and build on the recent successes of women’s football in the country.

 

Observers will be watching closely as Busari begins his tenure, with expectations high for another strong showing by the Flamingos on the global stage.