By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s U17 girls will clash against their Burkinabe counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground.
This is after the world football governing body, FIFA, insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou as their home venue is not up to standard.
Heritage Times HT reports that the decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, Bamako, where they will host the Flamingos on Saturday, 11th May starting from 4 pm Mali time.
The return leg will come up at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 18th May starting from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.
Already, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ppointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium, with her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.
Oumou Souleyman Kane from Mauritania will be commissioner, while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.
For the return leg in Abuja, Aline Umutoni from Rwanda will be the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively.
Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.
The Nigerian team also known as Flamingos will head to Bamako from Abuja on Wednesday May 8, 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has revealed.
