The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced the appointment of Akeem Ishola Busari as the head coach of the U-17 Girls National Team, Flamingos.
Busari replaces Bankole Olowookere, who has been with the Flamingos for many years, including leading the team to win the bronze medals at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in India.
His immediate task is to lead the Flamingos in the soon-to-commence race for a spot at the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, which will be hosted by Morocco.
The Flamingos are on standby to face the winner of the preliminary clash between Niger Republic and Guinea, with the first leg away from home in the third week of next month.
The new Flamingos’ chief strategist is presently the head coach of Pacesetter Queens Football Club of Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee has upheld the protest filed by Jigawa Golden Stars FC against Yobe Desert Stars FC over the use of an ineligible player in their Nigeria National League (NNL) fixture.
After reviewing the case at its meeting on March 30, 2026, the committee found that Shedrack John of Yobe Desert Stars had accumulated three yellow cards prior to the match.
One while playing for Ranchers Bees and two with Yobe Desert Stars, making him ineligible for selection.
The Committee further noted that the NNL failed to conduct a thorough investigation before delivering its initial ruling.
This was confirmed by the league’s chief operating officer, Danlami Alanana, who admitted that the player’s disciplinary record was only properly verified after the decision had been made.
As a result, the NFF Disciplinary Committee ruled that Yobe Desert Stars fielded an ineligible player and that the NNL erred by not awarding Jigawa Golden Stars the statutory points.Consequently, the Committee set aside the earlier decision of the NNL and awarded three points and three goals to Jigawa Golden Stars FC. The ruling, however, remains subject to appeal.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
