U-17 World Cup: Flamingos intensify preparations ahead of Algeria showdown
Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, have intensified preparations for this weekend’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round first-leg clash against their Algerian counterparts. The match is scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists, under the watchful eye of Head Coach Bankole Olowookere and his assistants, have remained in camp at the renowned Remo Stars Sports Institute since their emphatic victory over South Africa’s Bantwana in the previous round.
Nigeria defeated South Africa 3-1 in the first leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria and followed up with a 2-0 win in Ikenne-Remo, securing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win. Algeria, meanwhile, suffered a 2-1 defeat in their first leg against Botswana in Gaborone but bounced back strongly with a 4-0 victory in the return leg in North Africa.
The Algerian girls—whose senior team lost to the Super Falcons in two friendly matches held in Ikenne-Remo and Lagos in October last year—are scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday evening. Match officials are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Ugandan Shamirah Nabadda as referee, with Fides Bangurambona of Burundi as Assistant Referee 1. Nabadda’s compatriots, Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi, will serve as Assistant Referee 2 and Fourth Official, respectively.
Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will serve as the match commissioner, while South African Deidre Carmille Zealand will take on the role of referee assessor.
Both teams will face off in the return leg at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers) on Friday, 25th April. The winner on aggregate will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco from 17 October to 8 November, with Africa represented by five teams (including host nation Morocco), as the tournament expands to feature 24 nations.
