The Nigerian U17 girls’ football team, Flamingos, will depart for Bamako, Mali, on Thursday ahead of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series match against Burkina Faso on Saturday. 
With a strong record of appearances in the competition, the Flamingos are determined to secure a convincing win in the Malian capital, Footballrover reports.
Coach Bankole Olowookere has emphasised the importance of converting opportunities into goals, despite a 9-1 victory in a preparatory game against their opponents.
According to him, there is a difference between training sessions and match situations. He stressed the need for his team to learn to capitalise on their chances during games.
In another development, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a change to the match officials for Saturday’s encounter.
Teneba Bagayoko from Mali will now serve as the fourth official, replacing Joselyn Nsabimana.
Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will have the advantage of playing their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground,#SportsEco#Africatotheworld pic.twitter.com/0UebvjZ8De
— Sports Eco (@Emmanue86987739) May 6, 2024
The referees, assistant 1 and assistant 2, will be Suavis Iratunga, Fides Bangurambona, and Alida Iradukunda from Burundi, respectively.
Oumou Souleyman Kane from Mauritania and Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will continue as commissioner and referee assessor, respectively.
The Flamingos will be looking to make the return leg in Abuja on May 18 a formality with a strong performance in Bamako.
With their sights set on the World Cup, the Nigerian girls are determined to make a statement in the qualification series.
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