Ghana face Nigeria in WAFU Zone B U-17 Girls Championship opener

Ghana’s Black Maidens have been handed a demanding start to the WAFU Zone B U-17 Girls Championship after being drawn against rivals Nigeria in Group B.

The two West African giants will meet in Ghana’s opening game of the competition, with Togo and Niger completing a group that promises a stern test for the Black Maidens.

The tournament will be staged in Côte d’Ivoire from September 15, 2026, and will double as the qualifying competition for the 2027 U-17 Girls Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria stand in Ghana’s path

Nigeria’s inclusion makes Group B particularly challenging for Ghana, given the country’s strong record in women’s youth football.

The Black Maidens will therefore have little room for error when they begin their campaign against their regional rivals, with a positive result likely to provide an important platform for their qualification ambitions.

Togo and Niger, meanwhile, will also be targeting progression and could complicate the group for both Ghana and Nigeria.

Ghana will be aiming to navigate the group successfully and secure a place at next year’s continental tournament.

Côte d’Ivoire hosts crucial qualifier

The WAFU Zone B championship carries added significance because of its direct link to the 2027 U-17 Girls Africa Cup of Nations.

With qualification for the continental competition at stake, Ghana will be expected to approach every group game with maximum intensity.

The Black Maidens enter the tournament with considerable expectations and will need to overcome Nigeria, Togo and Niger to keep their qualification hopes on course.

The clash with Nigeria is likely to attract early attention as Ghana begins its pursuit of a place at the 2027 continental showpiece.