Morocco 2025: Flamingos Hit South Africa On Wednesday

Morocco 2025: Flamingos Hit South Africa On Wednesday

Akindele Faith

BSNSports.com.ng can report that Nigeria’s U17 girls team, the Flamingos, is set to depart for South Africa on Wednesday for the first leg of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match against the U17 girls of South Africa, known as Bantwana.

The match, which will be officiated by Kenyan referees appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to kick off at 3 PM South Africa time (2 PM Nigeria time) on Saturday, March 8, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has selected 19 players for the trip, including goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma; defenders Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo; midfielders Shakirat Moshood and Muinat Rotimi; and forwards Harmony Chidi and Chisom Nwachukwu.

The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, received a bye to the second round, while Bantwana convincingly defeated their Gabonese counterparts with an aggregate score of 21-2.

CAF has appointed Josephine Wanjiku as the referee, with her fellow countrywomen Mary Njoroge and Elizabeth Njoroge serving as the first and second assistants, and Juma Lucy Awino as the fourth official.

Cindy Barbara Dludlu from eSwatini will act as the commissioner, while Moroccan Khadija Rezzag will serve as the referee assessor.

The two teams will compete in the return leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, March 15.

The winner on aggregate will advance to the third round of the qualification campaign.

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, with Africa set to present five teams, including the host nation Morocco, at the finals, which have been expanded to feature 24 teams.

19 FLAMINGOS TRAVELING TO SOUTH AFRICA: Christiana Uzoma, Onyinyechi Opara, Hannah Ibrahim, Jumai Adebayo, Temilade Fafore, Shavih Istifanus, Taiwo Adegoke, Shakirat Moshood, Muinat Rotimi, Azeezat Oduntan, Philomena Ochanya, Aishat Animashaun, Elizabeth Boniface, Queen Joseph, Olamide Olanrewaju, Chisom Nwachukwu, Harmony Chidi, Favour Iheagwaram and Christiana Sunday.