The Nigeria Under-17 Female Football Team, known as the Flamingoes, will depart for South Africa on Wednesday to contest the first leg of their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification. The team will face South Africa’s U-17 side, the Bantwana, on Saturday, March 8, at Pretoria’s Lucas Moripe Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. South African time (2 p.m. Nigerian time).
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) website, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Kenyan officials to oversee the match. Josephine Wanjiku will referee, assisted by Mary Njoroge, Elizabeth Njoroge, and Juma Awino. Cindy Dludlu from eSwatini will act as the match commissioner, while Moroccan Khadija Rezzag is the referee assessor.
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has named a 19-player squad, which includes goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo, midfielders Shakirat Moshood and Muinat Rotimi, and forwards Harmony Chidi and Chisom Nwachukwu.
The Flamingoes, 2022 FIFA World Cup Bronze medallists, will return for the second leg at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, March 15, with the aggregate winner advancing to the third round of the qualification campaign. The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to be hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 8, with five African teams, including hosts Morocco, competing in the expanded 24-nation tournament.
