FIFA World Cup bronze-medallists Nigeria will begin their quest for a place in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup next weekend, when they take on their counterparts from Central African Republic in a second round, first leg encounter in the Cameroonian city of Douala.

The Central Africans have for many years now made Douala home, as a result of lack of an approved stadium for international matches in Bangui or any other city in their country. It was in Douala that they hosted the Super Eagles in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November 2021, which the Eagles won 2-0.

The match already scheduled for Sunday, 4th February will hold at the Stade de la Reunification de Douala, and commence at 3pm Cameroon time. Nigeria’s Flamingos, who won the bronze medals of the last edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup hosted by India, after a penalty shootout defeat of Germany, have appeared at every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals bar one – the 2018 finals in Uruguay.

Already, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Tunisian official Emna Ajbouni as referee, with her compatriots Khouloud Amri, Ameni Hammemi and Asma Chouchane as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Eugenie Mbainaye from Chad will serve as the commissioner.

For the return leg in Nigeria, Moroccan official Zakia El Grini will be referee, with her compatriots Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli, Karima Khadiri and Sabah Sadir in the roles of assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Naa Odofoley Nortey from Ghana will be the commissioner.

The second leg will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 10th February 2024.