Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, are determined to secure a high-margin win over Algeria in the first leg of their final qualifying round for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Head coach Bankole Olowookere stated on Friday that a dominant performance in Ikenne would ease the pressure ahead of the second leg in Blida, Algeria, on April 25.
“We have been working hard to correct lapses from the South Africa games,” Olowookere said. “We’re focused on a big win here to make the return leg more manageable. Our goal is to qualify and make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”
The coach emphasised that every match is different and urged his players to remain focused despite previous victories. Saturday’s clash at Remo Stars Stadium is where the Flamingos beat South Africa 2–0 in March after a 3–1 away win in Pretoria.
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Olowookere is expected to unleash his attacking trio Harmony Chidi, who has scored 16 goals in the qualifiers; Shakirat Moshood, who netted four times at the last World Cup and Aishat Animashaun, a key scorer against South Africa.
The 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be hosted in Morocco from 17 October to 5 November.
Editorial
Coach Bankole Olowookere’s insistence on a dominant first-leg win against Algeria is the mindset of a leader who understands the stakes. The Flamingos are on the cusp of another global appearance, and in youth football, margins matter especially when the second leg takes you into North African territory.
Morocco 2024 is more than a destination. It’s a mission. And for Nigeria’s U17 women, who earned bronze at the last World Cup, this qualifier isn’t just about booking a ticket it’s about asserting dominance, building momentum, and laying down a marker before the tournament even begins.
With talents like Harmony Chidi and Shakirat Moshood leading the line, the goals are in the squad. The question is whether they can be ruthless enough on home soil to make the return leg a formality.
The girls aren’t just chasing a result they’re carrying the pride of a footballing nation. And that journey begins in Ikenne.
Did You Know?
- Harmony Chidi has scored 16 goals in the current FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, making her one of the top scorers globally.
- Nigeria’s Flamingos won bronze at the 2022 edition in India the country’s best ever finish at the tournament.
- The 2024 edition in Morocco will be the first U17 Women’s World Cup hosted in North Africa.
- The Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida, where the second leg will be held, is Algeria’s most famous home ground.
- Coach Bankole Olowookere has led the Flamingos since 2021, making him the longest-serving coach in the team’s history.
