NIGERIA’S Flamingos are scheduled to fly out of the country to Bamako, Mali ahead of Saturday’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup third qualifying round, first leg fixture against Burkina Faso.
The match is being held in Mali because FIFA ruled that Burkina Faso does not currently have a suitable stadium for the game.
The Flamingos, who have appeared in all but one edition of the competition since it was launched in New Zealand in 2008, will be eyeing a win in Bamako, with the return leg scheduled for Abuja on May 18.
Despite a 9-1 hammering of their opponents in a tune-up game, Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere insisted his girls have to realise there is a difference between training sessions and match situations, and learn to convert all their opportunities during games.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has changed the fourth official (reserve referee) of the match at the Stade 26 March in Bamako.
Originally, Burundi’s Joselyn Nsabimana was to be the fourth official alongside compatriots Suavis Iratunga, Fides Bangurambona and Alida Iradukunda who will be referee, assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.
However, CAF has now appointed Teneba Bagayoko from Mali to be the fourth official. Oumou Souleyman Kane from Mauritania and Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire have been retained as commissioner and referee assessor respectively.
