Nigeria’s U17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, are diligently preparing for their crucial two-legged FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round against Algeria. The first leg is scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, this weekend. Fresh off their impressive bronze medal finish at the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup, the Flamingos are eager to secure their place in the upcoming tournament. Under the guidance of head coach Bankole Olowookere and his coaching staff, the team has maintained a consistent training regimen at the Remo Stars Sports Institute since their resounding victory against South Africa in the previous qualifying round.
The Flamingos demonstrated their dominance against South Africa’s Bantwana, securing a comfortable 5-1 aggregate win. They first triumphed 3-1 in the away leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria before solidifying their advantage with a 2-0 victory in the return leg at their home ground in Ikenne-Remo. Meanwhile, Algeria faced a tougher challenge against Botswana, losing the first leg 2-1 in Gaborone. However, they rallied in the second leg, displaying an impressive attacking performance to win 4-0 on home soil, securing their place in the final qualifying round against Nigeria. This upcoming clash will be a rematch of sorts, as Algeria’s senior women’s team faced Nigeria’s Super Falcons in two friendly matches held in Ikenne-Remo and Lagos in October of the previous year, both resulting in victories for the Super Falcons.
The Algerian team is expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday, while the match officials, appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), are scheduled to arrive on Thursday. Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda will officiate the match, assisted by Fides Bangurambona from Burundi as the first assistant referee. Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi, both from Uganda, will serve as the second assistant referee and fourth official, respectively. Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana has been appointed as the match commissioner, while Deidre Carmill Zealand from South Africa will take on the role of referee assessor.
The second leg of the final qualifying round will take place on Friday, April 25th, at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, Algeria. The aggregate winner of these two matches will earn a coveted spot in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals. The Flamingos, having previously experienced the thrill of the World Cup stage, are determined to replicate their success and represent Africa in the upcoming tournament. Their preparations, combined with their recent dominant performances, position them as strong contenders for qualification.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Morocco from October 17th to November 8th. The tournament has been expanded to include 24 nations, providing more opportunities for young female footballers to showcase their talent on a global platform. Africa will have five representatives at the tournament, including host nation Morocco. The remaining four slots will be determined through these final qualifying rounds. The Flamingos’ match against Algeria represents a crucial step towards their goal of securing one of these coveted spots and continuing their journey on the international stage.
The upcoming matches between Nigeria and Algeria promise an exciting display of African women’s football talent. Both teams have demonstrated their capabilities in previous rounds, and their determination to reach the World Cup finals will undoubtedly fuel a competitive and closely contested battle. The Flamingos, with their recent success and home advantage in the first leg, will look to establish a strong lead. However, Algeria’s resilience and their demonstrated ability to overcome adversity will make them formidable opponents. The stage is set for a captivating encounter that will determine which nation will represent Africa in the prestigious FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
