The Confederation of African Football CAF has selected Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku to officiate the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, and South Africa’s Bantwana. The first leg of the second-round fixture is set for Saturday, March 8, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, kicking off at 3 PM South African time 2 PM in Nigeria.
Nigeria, who won bronze at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, entered this round of qualification with a bye. In contrast, South Africa’s Bantwana advanced emphatically, demolishing Gabon 21-2 on aggregate after winning 12-1 away and 9-1 at home.
CAF has also appointed three more Kenyan officials Mary Njoroge (assistant referee 1), Elizabeth Njoroge (assistant referee 2), and Juma Lucy Awino (fourth official). The match commissioner, Cindy Barbara Dludlu, hails from eSwatini, while Moroccan official Khadija Rezzag will assess the referees’ performance.
The return leg will take place on Saturday, March 15, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, with the aggregate winner moving on to the third round of the qualification campaign.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, hosted by Morocco from October 17 to November 8, marks the first edition of the tournament as an annual event. With an expanded 24-nation format, Africa will have five representatives, including the host nation, Morocco.
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The Flamingos, who reached the quarter-finals of last year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, have been in camp at the Remo Stars Institute in Ikenne-Remo for several weeks in preparation for their clash against South Africa.
Editorial
The upcoming showdown between Nigeria’s Flamingos and South Africa’s Bantwana represents an exciting step in Africa’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification. With a rich history in the tournament, Nigeria will be looking to stamp their authority, but South Africa’s dominant display against Gabon serves as a warning that this will be no easy task.
Nigeria’s decision to hold their training camp at the Remo Stars Institute shows a serious approach to preparation, and with many of their players having World Cup experience from the Dominican Republic tournament, they enter the tie as favourites. However, they must be wary of Bantwana’s attacking threat, which saw them score an astonishing 21 goals in two games.
CAF’s choice of Kenyan match officials also reflects the growing influence of female referees in African football. The presence of a highly experienced team led by Josephine Wanjiku ensures that the fixture will be officiated with professionalism and fairness.
For the Flamingos, this match is not just about qualification but also about maintaining their reputation as one of Africa’s strongest women’s football teams. They have consistently performed well on the global stage, and anything less than qualification for Morocco 2025 would be a disappointment.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be eager to prove they belong among the continent’s elite. Their demolition of Gabon was impressive, but Nigeria represents an entirely different level of opposition. This two-legged affair will test their ability to compete against one of Africa’s best.
With a World Cup ticket on the line, expect a fiercely contested battle where tactical discipline, attacking sharpness, and defensive solidity will determine who progresses.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria’s Flamingos have qualified for every FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 2008.
- South Africa’s Bantwana were runners-up in the 2010 CAF U-17 Women’s Championship, securing their first-ever World Cup appearance that year.
- The 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco will be the first to feature 24 teams instead of 16, giving more nations the opportunity to compete at the global level.
- The Flamingos’ bronze medal at the 2022 tournament was Nigeria’s best ever finish in the competition.
- The Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, where the first leg will be played, is a historic venue that has hosted several CAF Champions League matches and international fixtures.
