For almost two decades, Nigeria’s Flamingos dominated the continent, becoming one of its most feared teams. But on the world stage, the story was different. They repeatedly failed to cross the quarter-finals hurdle at the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

But on a dramatic night in 2022, the Flamingos rewrote history, beating Germany on penalties to win the third-place play-off in India.

Four years after that, Nigeria are back on the hunt for glory. This time, on African soil.

Building on that 2022 momentum, the journey to Morocco has been months in the making. Under the guidance of Akeem Busari, the West Africans enter the U-17 Women’s World Cup on the back of continental glory and intense training camps.

The Flamingos were dominant at the WAFU B U-17 tournament, claiming the trophy after winning all five matches. They scored 17 times and conceded just once en route to lifting the regional trophy last month in Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria’s contingent to the tournament landed in the Maghreb nation for the 24-country tournament on October 7 for camping. Since then, the team has been holding intensive training sessions, fine-tuning their tactics and ensuring the squad fully acclimatises to the pitch and weather in the North African country.

Coach Busari will expect his team to carry and build on that WAFU-B form into the U-17 Women’s World Cup, where the Nigerians will face stern tests in Group B.

Nigeria were drawn alongside Poland, Puerto Rico and two-time champions Korea DPR. The first test is against the Europeans before they take on the North Americans and then the Asian country.

To emerge from this group, Nigeria announced a 21-player team headlined by captain Harmony Chidi, whose goal-scoring exploits have become pivotal to the team’s success.

Others, like goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho, Favour Nkwocha, Tosin Rafiu, Queen Joseph, and Precious Oscar, who featured at the recently concluded U-20 Women’s World Cup, are expected to bring top-level tournament experience to the Flamingo’s campaign.

Beyond individual talent, Coach Busari is emphasising collective unity and tactical flexibility ahead of the tournament in the Maghreb.

“We have a flexible team whereby everybody just tries to give their best. We want a team whereby all of them are aiding one another in terms of their efforts and achievement,” the coach told FIFA.com.

“Our team has a mixed style. We can play a low block, a mid block, or a high block. It’s a flexible team but still a work in progress. They are young girls, so we have to be a little bit patient with them.”

Nigeria are no strangers on the global stage. The West Africans have qualified for eight out of nine editions of the age-grade competition since its inception in 2008.

Having a rich history behind them, Busari’s charges carry not just Nigeria’s hopes but also the torchlight for a continent yearning for the top prize in an expanded 24-team tournament which runs from 17 October to 7 November 2026 in Morocco.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the coach says the players “are happy and eager to represent their country and fly the green-white-green flag”.

“For us, it is a call to duty. We want to play and enjoy doing what we know best, and we are ready to serve and make Nigeria proud,” Busari said.

For the Flamingos, they “want to approach every game with the same mentality, perspective and strength”.

While Busari and the Flamingos are determined to make Nigeria proud, finishing high in Morocco will require grit, character and tactical ingenuity. (Channels)