The Flamingos of Nigeria have stepped up preparations for their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round clash against Algeria on Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.
The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists, under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Bankole Olowookere and his assistants, have remained in camp at the stellar Remo Stars Sports Institute since the demolition of South Africa’s Bantwana over two legs last month.
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 for a 5-1 aggregate win.
The Algerians suffered a 2-1 reverse in their first leg against Botswana in Gaborone, but fired from all cylinders to win 4-0 in the return leg in North Africa.
The Algerian girls will land in Lagos on Wednesday evening, while the 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 from Burundi as assistant referee 1. Nabadda’s compatriots Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.
Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will be the commissioner, with South African Deidre Carmill Zealand to be in the role of referee assessor.
Both teams will battle things out in the return leg at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers) on Friday, 25th April, with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.
This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, between 17 October and 8 November, with Africa to present 5 teams (including host nation Morocco) at the finals, which has been expanded to a 24-nation championship.
