Flamingos Arrive Abidjan, as Preparation Continues Ahead of Guinea Clash on Saturday

Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, have arrived safely in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of Saturday’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Guinea.

The team travelled aboard Asky Airlines with a brief stopover in Lomé, Togo, before landing at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan at exactly 3:42pm local time on Wednesday.

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The delegation, led by head coach Akeem Busari, is now lodged at Seen Hotel.

The team is expected to have their first training session today in Abidjan as preparations continue for the crucial first-leg encounter scheduled for Saturday, May 23.

The Flamingos had earlier intensified preparations at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, Ogun State, where the coaching crew worked extensively on tactical cohesion, attacking efficiency, and defensive organisation ahead of the tie.

Nigeria will face Guinea in Abidjan after the Guinean Football Federation failed to provide a CAF and FIFA-approved stadium for the match, forcing the encounter to be moved to a neutral venue in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Nigerian side heads into the game in confident mood following a string of impressive results in preparatory matches during camp.

The Flamingos recorded convincing victories in friendly matches against local sides as they sharpen their edges ahead of the crucial qualifier.

Busari and his technical crew are expected to hold final tactical sessions before Saturday’s showdown as Nigeria seeks to secure a strong first-leg advantage away from home.

The return leg will take place a week later at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, with the aggregate winner advancing to the next stage of the qualification series for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.