U-17: NFF scribe charges Flamingos to qualify for quarter finals
By Tosin Omojola
The Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, on Wednesday visited the Nigeria U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, during training in Rabat, Morocco, urging them to focus on their next challenge.
Nigeria will face Mexico in the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Thursday, October 29, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
The match will rekindle memories of the teams’ meeting in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, where Nigeria defeated Mexico 3-0 at the Estadio Nacional in San José on March 23, 2014. Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Aminat Yakubu scored the goals.
Head Coach Hakeem Busari will have his full squad of 21 players available for selection. In-form goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho and defenders Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf are expected to feature.
Favour Nkwocha and Tosin Rafiu, who played for the Falconets at last month’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, could retain their midfield places alongside Mary Dunstan.
In attack, Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who have scored two goals each in the tournament, are likely to lead the line, with Precious Oscar and captain Harmony Chidi also options.
The match will kick off at 3 p.m. in Morocco (4 p.m. Nigerian time).
