Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, will go up against their Tanzanian counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying series second round, second leg encounter at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams battled to a one-goal draw in the first leg match played at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania’s commercial and industrial capital, Dar es Salaam on Sunday last week, with substitute Chioma Olise putting Nigeria in front in the 57th minute.
The home girls found parity 13 minutes later when Asnath Ubamba fired home from a free kick, making Sunday’s encounter in Nigeria’s capital delicately poised for two ambitious squads.
Falconets head coach Christopher Danjuma will again bank on Olise, as well as FIFA U17 World Cup bronze medallist Opeyemi Ajakaye, to get the goals that will take the 2022 quarter-finalists closer to another appearance at the global finals, this time in Colombia.
Nigeria has been present at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as a U19 tournament in Canada 21 years ago.
Read also U20 Women’s World Cup: Tanzania force Falconets to 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam
Goalkeeper Anderlin Mgbechi, who was between the sticks in Dar es Salaam, is again set to start, with another U17 World Cup bronze medallist Comfort Folorunsho part of a rearguard led by captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, and which includes Jumoke Alani and Shukurat Oladipo.
Taiwo Afolabi, a U17 World Cup bronze medallist from India last year, will lead the midfield that could also have Adoo Yina and Shola Shobowale.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Rachel Nzigire from the Democratic Republic of Congo to referee for Sunday’s decisive encounter in Nigeria, with Ngarassoum Victorine from Chad as assistant referee 1. Rachel’s compatriots Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee two and fourth official, respectively, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.
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