The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku to officiate the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, and South Africa’s Bantwana.
The first-leg encounter is set for Saturday, March 8, at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, kicking off at 3 p.m. South African time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).
While Nigeria, bronze medallists at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, received a bye to the second round, South Africa’s Bantwana advanced emphatically, defeating Gabon 21-2 on aggregate—winning 12-1 away and 9-1 at home.
Wanjiku will be assisted by fellow Kenyan officials Mary Njoroge (Assistant Referee 1), Elizabeth Njoroge (Assistant Referee 2), and Juma Lucy Awino (Fourth Official). Cindy Barbara Dludlu from eSwatini will serve as the match commissioner, while Moroccan Khadija Rezzag will assess the referees’ performance.
The return leg will take place at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, on Saturday, March 15. The aggregate winner will progress to the third round of the qualification series.
This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, now an annual event, will be held in Morocco from October 17 to November 8. The tournament has been expanded to feature 24 teams, with Africa securing five spots, including host nation Morocco.
The Flamingos, who reached the quarter-finals in last year’s edition in the Dominican Republic, have been in camp at the Remo Stars Institute, Ikenne-Remo, as they prepare for their showdown with the Bantwana.
 has appointed Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku to officiate the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, and South Africa’s Bantwana.){kind=link}