By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
A moment of loss of concentration and overall low performance of the team ruined what would have been an easy away victory by Nigeria’s junior women’s football team, the Flamingos against their Burkina Faso opponents in the first leg, third round of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African qualifiers on Saturday at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali.
The Flamingos were cruising to an away win courtesy of Chidi Harmony’s 55′ goal but a moment of madness allowed the Burkinabes to equalise the match when Nigeria’s goalkeeper Uzuoma Christiana gifted Burkina Faso’s forward
Rainata Oubda the ball to score in the 85′ to tie match 1-1.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official, Abdul Rafiu Yusuf, an Assistant Director, Technical, who was on ground in Bamako told Prompt News that the Flamingos did not bring their A game to the party, pointing out that it was a match they could have won by a wide margin based on their quality.
Said he: “I was surprised the Flamingos did not play their game based on what I know of the team. The entire team did not play well and paid the price of complacency when the mix-up between the defenders and goalkeeper gifted Burkina Faso the chance to equalise the match but I believe the girls will correct themselves in the return leg at home”.
Corroborating the views of Yusuf, NFF Director of Competitions, Ms Ruth David believes the Flamingos will be able to get the job done when both countries meet again in the second leg which comes up on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. READ ALSO:
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“The Flamengos looked to be heading for victory with less than ten minutes left in the match until the goalkeeper decided to leave her position and when she misplaced her kick, Burkina Faso player intercepted and scored with the defenders out of positions too. However, I believe that the technical crew led by Olowookere Bankole will work on the team’s mistakes before the return leg this weekend in Abuja”, David said.
The winner between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will progress into the final qualifying round.
This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in the Dominican Republic.
The 16-team tournament will run from October 16 to November 3, 2024.
