Alex Fredrick
Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are in high spirits and final phase of preparations ahead of their crucial clash with Algeria in the final round of qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
The first leg of the two-legged encounter is scheduled to take place this weekend at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Bankole Olowookere, the Flamingos have remained camped at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, fine-tuning strategies after an impressive 5–1 aggregate victory over South Africa in the previous round.
The 2022 World Cup bronze medalists defeated South Africa’s Bantwana 3–1 in Pretoria and sealed qualification to the next stage with a comfortable 2–0 win on home soil.
Algeria’s U17 girls, who overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Botswana 4–2 on aggregate in the last round, are expected to arrive in Lagos on Wednesday evening, while match officials are scheduled to touch down in Nigeria on Thursday.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda to oversee the match. She will be assisted by fellow Ugandans Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi, with Fides Bangurambona of Burundi serving as Assistant Referee 1. Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will act as Match Commissioner, while South African Deidre Carmill Zealand will serve as Referee Assessor.
The decisive second leg will be played at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, just outside Algiers, on Friday, April 25. The winner on aggregate will secure a spot at the expanded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, 2025.
Africa will be represented by five teams at this year’s global tournament, including host nation Morocco.
