The Nigerian U17 girls, known as the Flamingos, are set to depart Nigeria on Thursday for Bamako, the capital of Mali.
This information was disclosed in a statement by the NFF’s media team on its official website on Wednesday.
NFF noted that they are gearing up for Saturday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series third-round first-leg match against Burkina Faso.
Since its launch in New Zealand in 2008, the Nigeria’s side has only missed one edition of the competition which was held in Uruguay in 2018.
They are now poised for a convincing victory in the Malian capital, setting the stage for the return leg in Abuja on May 18th to be a mere formality.
However, the Confederation of African Football has made a change to the officiating team for Saturday’s match at the Stade 26 March in Bamako.
Originally, Joselyn Nsabimana was slated to be the fourth official, but CAF has replaced her with another official.
The officiating team now includes Burundi compatriots Suavis Iratunga as the referee, Fides Bangurambona as assistant 1, and Alida Iradukunda as assistant 2.
The statement read, “The Nigerian girls have failed to appear in only one edition of the competition (Uruguay 2018) since it was launched in New Zealand in 2008, and are set for a handsome win in the Malian capital to make the return leg in Abuja on 18th May a formality.
“Despite a 9-1 hammering of their opponents in a preparatory game, Head Coach Bankole Olowookere insisted his girls have to realize there is a difference between training sessions and match situations, and learn to convert all their opportunities during games.
“Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has made a change to the fourth official of Saturday’s match at the Stade 26 March in Bamako.
“Originally, Joselyn Nsabimana was to be the fourth official alongside Burundi compatriots Suavis Iratunga, Fides Bangurambona and Alida Iradukunda who will be referee, assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.
“However, CAF has now appointed Teneba Bagayoko from Mali to be the fourth official. Oumou Souleyman Kane from Mauritania and Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire have been retained as commissioner and referee assessor respectively.”
