Nigeria’s Flamingos are set to start their preparatory camp on Sunday on the Remo Stars Sports activities Institute in Ikenne-Remo. The 2-time World Cup semi-finalists will face South Africa’s Bantwana in a vital two-legged qualifier for a ticket to Morocco 2025.
The Flamingos, who secured a historic bronze medal on the 2022 version in India, superior to the second spherical of the African qualifiers with out kicking a ball. In distinction, South Africa delivered a brutal assertion, obliterating Gabon 21-2 on combination within the first spherical.
The Bantwana ran riot with a 12-1 demolition in Gabon earlier than sealing their superiority with a 9-1 victory at house.
A Battle of African Heavyweights
The upcoming fixture is way from a routine encounter—it’s a battle of two bold groups with a fierce historical past of rivalry in African soccer.
Nigeria, a dominant pressure within the continent’s youth soccer scene, is properly conscious that South Africa will come into the conflict with confidence, starvation, and momentum after their devastating present of attacking firepower within the first spherical.
NFF Basic Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, emphasised the significance of early preparation for such a high-stakes encounter.
“This isn’t simply one other qualifier. Nigeria vs South Africa is at all times a heated contest, stuffed with depth, feelings, and a powerful need to beat.
The Flamingos stay among the finest groups in Africa and the world, and we’re leaving nothing to probability in guaranteeing that they’re well-prepared for the problem forward.”
Whereas the Flamingos enter the tie as favourites primarily based on pedigree, Bantwana’s head coach, Ntombifuthi Khumalo, has already raised issues about his crew’s capability to match Nigeria in high quality and physicality.
“Tactically, Nigeria is excellent, identical to us. However while you go pound-for-pound, we’re not prepared but. We want reinforcements, an extended camp, and extra aggressive friendlies to have the ability to stand as much as Nigeria.
There are high quality gamers in our nation who deserve a spot within the squad, and if we are able to get them, we might be in a stronger place.”
Flamingos’ Highway to Morocco 2025
This 12 months’s FIFA U17 Girls’s World Cup, set to happen in Morocco from October 17 to November 8, marks the primary time the competitors might be held yearly and have an expanded 24-team format.
Africa has been allotted 5 slots, together with the host nation Morocco, leaving simply 4 out there for qualification.
Coach Bankole Olowookere, who guided the Flamingos to 3rd place in 2022 and the quarter-finals final 12 months, has assembled a 30-player squad stuffed with each skilled skills and promising newcomers.
Notable names embody goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, midfield sensation Shakirat Moshood, and lethal forwards Concord Chidi and Peace Effiong.
Full Squad Checklist
Goalkeepers:
Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens)
Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers)
Maureen Enebeli (Remo Stars Girls)
Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)
Defenders:
Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Girls)
Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels)
Jennifer Ozoani (Greenfoot FC)
Marylyn Edem (Nasarawa Amazons)
Amblessed Ogbonnaya (Bayelsa Queens)
Ifeoma Ogoegbe (Greenfoot FC)
Temilade Fafore (Ahudiyannem Queens)
Shavih Istifanus (Jos)
Midfielders:
Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens)
Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy)
Charles Nwabueze (Abia Angels)
Philomena Ochanya (Nasarawa Amazons)
Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy)
Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo Queens)
Fatima Solaty (Dannaz Girls)
Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy)
Shakirat Bashiru (New Era SC)
Forwards:
Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels)
Concord Chidi (Imo Strikers)
Seun Fakunle (Ekiti Queens)
Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels)
Favour Iheagwaram (Abia Angels)
Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers)
Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels)
Afensimi Omon (Adamawa Queens)
Anuoluwapo Awotidoye (Naija Ratels)
Excessive Expectations for the Flamingos
The Flamingos are anticipated to dominate and safe their place on the international match in Morocco. Nonetheless, they can’t afford to underestimate a fired-up South African aspect seeking to trigger an upset.
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Because the countdown to the two-legged showdown (scheduled between March 7–16) begins, Nigeria’s younger stars will intention to showcase their high quality, teamwork, and championship mentality to maintain their World Cup desires alive.
