By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
Coach Chris Danjuma and his Nigeria U-20 girls will pull back no punches when they take on their Cameroonian counterparts in the second leg of their fourth round fixture, as the race for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals hots up.
Venue is the refurbished MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and kick-off time is 4pm on Saturday, 5th February.
Both teams battled to a scoreless draw in a tough and gritty encounter at the Stade Reunification in Douala on Saturday, 22nd January.
According to Danjuma, “We have no choice but to go all out for goals. The Cameroonian team is a strong one but we have worked hard since returning from the first leg in Douala and I believe my girls will get the job done.”
Saturday’s encounter will be the first international match at the MKO Abiola National Stadium since the venue hosted a 2016 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Falcons and the Senior Women Team of Senegal in April 2016.
It is also the first of a number of crucial matches for Nigeria at the arena in the next few months, including the first leg of the 2022 Women AFCON final qualifying fixture between the Super Falcons and the Lady Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and the return leg of the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off round between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana.
The Falconets require only the minimum win to reach the final qualifying round, where they will square up with the winner between Morocco and Senegal for a place in the finals in Costa Rica in August this year.
Togolese official Vincentia Amedome has been appointed by CAF as the referee. Amedome will be assisted by compatriot Abra Agbedanou (assistant referee 1); Ghanaian Doris Essuman Darko (assistant referee 2) and yet another Togolese Edoh Kindedji (fourth official). The match commissioner is Aisha Nalule from Uganda while Ghanaian Emmanuella Grace Aglago will serve as referee assessor.
India 2022: Olowookere invites 35 players to camp for DR Congo
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has called 35 players to the camp of the U17 Girls’ National Team, Flamingos to begin preparations for next month’s 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Flamingos actually started a qualifying campaign for the championship two years ago, defeating their Guinean counterparts home and away, before the global coronavirus pandemic compelled world football –governing body, FIFA to jettison the process and forget the 2020 competition altogether.
However, just like it has done with the U20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA has retained the designated host nation for the 2020 event, India as host for the 2022 finals. The championship will hold 11th-30th October.
The Flamingos will start their campaign for this year’s finals when they play away to the U17 girls of DR Congo in Kinshasa on 6th March 2022. The return leg is scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 19th March.
All invited players have been advised to report to the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Monday, 7th February.
Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Omilana (Honey Baggers); Jessica Inyama (Immaculate Queens); Odinaka Nweke (Rivers Angels)
Defenders: Sharon Onwere (Skillful Feature); Loveth Boigyande (Honey Baggers); Vera Samuel (Royal Queens); Comfort Folorunsho (Delta Queens); Blessing Sunday (Edo Queens); Mistura Yusuf (FC Robo); Tumininu Adesina (Naija Ratels); Sandra John (Rivers Angels); Olamide Oyinlola (Naija Ratels)
Midfielders: Imoh Jones (Ibom Angels); Obianuju Akwubo (Osun Babes); Joy Igbokwe (Mees Palace); Taiwo Aseere (Honey Baggers); Mary Popoola (Sunshine Queens); Aminat Folorunsho (Lakeside Academy); Blessing Solomon (Taraba Queens); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Cynthia Mega (Prince Eletu Queens); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels); Olaronke Ola (Royaltom Queens)
Forwards: Priscilla Omeje (Nasarawa Amazons); Precious Daniel (Waco Girls); Alvine Dah-Zossu (Osun Babes); Halimat Yusuf (Kwara Ladies); Chidera Okenwa (Heartland Queens); Mercy Itimi (Bayelsa Queens); Aminat Bello (SGH Amazons); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens); Raheemot Adebayo (FC Robo); Onyinyechi Kalu (Imo Angels); Kesiena Ojiyoiwi (Osun Babes)
