Morocco 2025: Flamingos step up preparations as Algeria’s U17 contingent flies into Lagos

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, have stepped up preparations for this weekend’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round, first leg clash with their counterparts from Algeria, scheduled for the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. 

The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists, under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Bankole Olowookere and his assistants, have remained in camp at the stellar Remo Stars Sports Institute since the demolition of South Africa’s Bantwana over two legs last month.

Nigeria trashed South Africa 3-1 in the first leg at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, and followed up with a 2-0 win in Ikenne-Remo for a handsome 5-1 aggregate. The Algerians suffered a 2-1 reverse in their first leg against Botswana in Gaborone, but fired from all cylinders to win 4-0 in the return leg in North Africa. 

The Algerian girls, whose senior team lost to the Super Falcons in two friendly matches in Ikenne-Remo and Lagos in October last year, will land in Lagos on Wednesday evening, while the match officials are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday. 

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Ugandan Shamirah Nabadda as referee, with Fides Bangurambona from Burundi as assistant referee 1. Nabadda’s compatriots Immaculate Ongiera and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. 

Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will be the commissioner, with South African Deidre Carmill Zealand to be in the role of referee assessor. 

Both teams will battle things out in the return leg at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers) on Friday, 25^th April, with the winner on aggregate qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.     

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, 17 October – 8 November, with Africa to present 5 teams (including host nation Morocco) at the finals, which has been expanded to a 24-nation championship. 

NFF to organize Coach Educators’ programme in June 

The Nigeria Football Federation has secured the approval of the Confederation of African Football to organize a CAF Educators’ Course between 16^th and 25^th June 2025. 

“This programme is part of our quest to increase the number of CAF-Licensed Coach Educators across the length and breadth of Nigeria. There will be only 20 participants. Applicants must have CAF B-License, be proficient in the English language, have a teaching background, be passionate in helping other coaches and must have competence in computer software such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word. 

“They must also be 50 years old or younger. They have to submit copies of previous coaching certificates, a recent photograph and data page of their international passport to an email (nffheadofeducation@gmail.com), on or before Friday, 25^th April 2025,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen explained to thenff.com.

Eguavoen also disclosed that a CAF CMS Registration link will be sent to all successful applicants to complete their registration.