Burkina Faso’s Defensive Plan Tested Flamingos – Busari

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria U17 women’s national team gaffer, Hakeem Busari commended his young side for showing composure against a defensively organised opponent who made life difficult for the Nigerians for long periods at the Wafu-B U17 Women’s Cup.

Flamingos maintained their perfect start in the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup with a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Monday in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

Busari said the Burkina Faso tactics worked against them but they had to display patience, calmness and composure to get the goals late in the game.

“The tactics Burkina Faso tried to use against us made it a difficult game. We just had to be patient because we are dealing with young players. Some of the chances required them to play with calmness, but they were eventually wasted,” Busari said at the postmatch interview.

The experienced tactician explained that Burkina Faso negative football frustrated the Flamingos who had to make way for the few chances created in the encounter.

“Burkina Faso were going to sit back and rely on the tactics they wanted to use in the game. Coincidentally, we were having the chances, but we could not convert them in the early minutes of the first half. That would have changed the game and the goal margin of our chances.”

Busari narrated how the opening goal forced Burkina Faso out of their defensive shell which paved way for Flamingos second goal.

“The chances were being wasted and the tactics were working for the opponent until we got the difference of one goal. Then they needed to come out, and we could now play.”

The coach also paid tribute to the quality of African coaches, acknowledging their tactical approach.

“For Africa, we have good tacticians who can really come up with something.”

The Flamingos dominated possession and created several openings but were unable to break the deadlock until late in the second half. Mary Dunstan finally opened the scoring in the 82nd minute before Oluwakemi Adegbuyi sealed the result deep into stoppage time.