Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, are focused and ready to seal qualification for their eighth FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup appearance as they prepare to face Algeria in the second leg of their final qualifying fixture at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida on Friday night.
Despite the expected chilly conditions and strong Mediterranean winds at the 8pm kickoff, the Flamingos are confident, holding a commanding 4-0 advantage from the first leg in Ikenne.
Bronze medallists at the 2022 edition in India and quarter-finalists in the Dominican Republic last time out, the Nigerian side are motivated not only by the prospect of another World Cup campaign but also by financial incentives from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and billionaire philanthropist Kunle Soname.
Soname rewarded the team with N4 million (N1 million per goal) after their first-leg win, while the NFF added N2 million (N500,000 per goal). Both parties have confirmed that the same bonuses apply for the return leg in Blida.
“Our objective is clear: to win the FIFA World Cup ticket. That is the big motivation. Yet, we have been further incentivised by the monetary rewards. My girls will go all out on Friday night,” said
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere, who is eyeing a third consecutive World Cup appearance with the team.
Olowookere is expected to stick with his in-form attackers: Queen Joseph, who bagged a brace in the first leg; Zainab Raji; and Kaosarat Olanrewaju. In midfield, Shakirat Moshood, Muinat Rotimi, and Philomena Isaiah are likely to orchestrate play, while goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma will marshal the defence, supported by Azeezat Oduntan, Hannah Ibrahim, Christiana Sunday, and Jumai Adebayo.
