Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, Coach Akeem Busari Ishola, has charged fellow coaches in the country to embrace professionalism and stop doubling as player managers.
Speaking with the Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, at the Taiwo Awoniyi Media Centre on Saturday, July 18, 2026
Coach Busari said he is determined to leave a lasting legacy with the Flamingos by raising coaching standards.
“We must move away from being player managers. That role belongs to football agents. A coach’s job is to identify talents, impart knowledge, and develop players. The ethics of the job must be respected,” he said.
The Kwara-born coach from Igbo-Owu, Ifelodun LGA, said early preparation is key as Nigeria gets set for the 10th FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from October 17 to November 7, 2026. The Flamingos are in Group B with North Korea, Puerto Rico, and Poland.
“We are going there with a bigger mindset to make the country proud and to create new records. Early preparation and quality international friendlies outside our group will help us,” he said.
Coach Busari, who was appointed in April 2026, guided the team through qualification and promised to surpass previous records.
He thanked the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and appealed for full support for the team.
“I want to thank the NFF, as well as its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for the opportunity. We are not the best yet, but we will definitely justify the confidence reposed in us by making the difference,” he said.
Kwara FA Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa Thuraya, also urged the coach to surpass Nigeria’s record at the World Cup and create a new legacy for himself and the country.
Also speaking during a reception hosted by him, Director of Football, ABS FC Ilorin, High Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, pledged a giant trophy for a competition in the coach’s honour in Igbo-Owu. He said the trophy will complement an existing competition held in the coach’s honour for the past five years to celebrate the CAF/NFF Instructor and CAF ‘A’ Licence holder.
Adexinsight
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