Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, are ramping up their preparations ahead of this weekend’s crucial first leg encounter in the final qualifying round for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The match, set to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, pits them against Algeria’s U17 girls.
Following their emphatic 5-1 aggregate triumph over South Africa’s Bantwana in the previous round, the 2022 World Cup bronze medallists have been training under the guidance of Head Coach Bankole Olowookere and his technical crew at the Remo Stars Sports Institute.
The Flamingos recorded a 3-1 away victory in Pretoria before sealing qualification with a 2-0 home win in Ikenne-Remo. Algeria, on the other hand, bounced back from a narrow 2-1 first-leg loss to Botswana in Gaborone to secure a dominant 4-0 win in the return leg on home soil.
Algeria’s contingent is expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday evening. Their senior women’s team last visited Nigeria in October for friendly matches against the Super Falcons, losing both fixtures in Ikenne-Remo and Lagos.
Match officials are due to arrive on Thursday. The Confederation of African Football has appointed Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda to oversee the tie, assisted by Fides Bangurambona of Burundi and fellow Ugandans Immaculate Ongiera (assistant referee 2) and Diana Murungi (fourth official).
Ghana’s Naa Odofoley Nortey will serve as match commissioner, while Deidre Carmill Zealand of South Africa will act as referee assessor.
The second leg is scheduled for Friday, 25th April, at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, just outside Algiers. The winner over the two legs will book a place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.
This year’s tournament will be held in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November. The finals have been expanded to feature 24 teams, with Africa allotted five slots, including host nation Morocco.
