Nigeria’s cadet female national team, Flamingoes will now battle Niger Republic on Wednesday at the West African Football Union (WAFU)-B U17 Girls Championship in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, instead of Ghana, Sports247 reports.
The Flamingos’ new fixture comes sequel to the withdrawal of Benin Republic from the competition that begins this Tuesday, thereby neccesitatiing an adjustment of the ties a few minutes after the Nigerian team arrived in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan.
Coach Hakeeem Busari’s squad had a stop-over after travelling from Abuja on Monday morning, on their way to Yamoussoukro, where matches will take place in the second edition of the competition, which is a preparatory ground towards the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Busari is in Cote d’Ivoire with 20 players for the competition, which is billed to be a good build-up platform for Nigeria and Ghana, two WAFU-B teams among Africa’s four flag-bearers at this year’s Female Cadet Mundial in Morocco, alongside Kenya and Zambia.
A statement by the communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed, “Following the withdrawal of Benin Republic from the competition, the Flamingos will now play Niger Republic in their first match on Wednesday, and not Ghana’s Princesses.
“On Tuesday, hosts Cote d’Ivoire are up against Togo, while Ghana will duel with Burkina Faso. On Friday, Togo take on Niger Republic while Burkina Faso confront the host nation. The match-up between the Flamingos and Princesses will now have to wait till Saturday.”
Sports247 reports further that this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco from October 17th to November 8th, with Nigeria up against North Korea, Puerto Rico and Poland in Group B; while Ghana have Canada, Brazil and Norway in Group C.
-B U17 Girls Championship in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, instead of Ghana, Sports247 reports.){kind=link}