Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are gearing up for a strong performance as they take on their Algerian counterparts today in the first leg of the final round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The crucial encounter is set to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, with the home side aiming to stamp their authority early in the two-legged tie.
Head coach of the Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to secure a convincing win that would put them in a commanding position ahead of the second leg scheduled for April 25 in Blida, Algeria. Speaking ahead of the fixture, Olowookere emphasized the importance of taking advantage of home support to ease the pressure ahead of the return match.
“We are close to the finish line on the road to Morocco 2025, and our objective is to make the second leg less tense by winning convincingly here at home,” Olowookere told thenff.com. “We have been correcting the errors from our last games, especially the lapses observed against South Africa. The girls have shown great improvement, and we are confident of a strong outing.”
Nigeria head into the encounter as overwhelming favourites, a status backed by their rich history in the U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Flamingos have qualified for seven out of the eight editions of the tournament since its inception in 2008. Under Olowookere’s guidance, they achieved their best-ever result in 2022, clinching the bronze medal in India—a feat that stands as the highest by any African team at the competition.
The current squad features a blend of talent and determination, with key players like prolific forward Harmony Chidi, midfield dynamo Shakirat Moshood, and the ever-reliable Aishat Animashaun expected to play pivotal roles in the outcome of the fixture. Olowookere, while proud of their achievements so far, is urging the team to remain grounded and continue pushing for excellence.
“We must remain humble, work harder, and stay united. Our mission is clear—secure qualification and head to Morocco with the aim of making Nigeria proud on the global stage,” he added.
The overall winner of this final qualifying round will join hosts Morocco and four other African nations at the expanded 24-team FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to hold from October 17 to November 8, 2025. With a rich legacy to protect and a dream to chase, the Flamingos are determined to not only qualify but make a strong impression once again at the world stage.
As anticipation builds for this evening’s fixture in Ikenne, the eyes of the nation will be on the young stars, hoping they take a giant step toward securing Nigeria’s place at the tournament in Morocco.
