The newly appointed Chairman of the
NFF’s Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed (popularly called ‘Fresh’) has commended Nigeria’s
U20 women’s team, the Falconets after their 1:1 draw against Morocco on Sunday in Sale.
The match was the first leg of a second round fixture of the African qualifiers for the
2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
The Morocans started off the game with a goal in the 24th minute, but Nigerian top scorer
Rasheedat Ajibade equalised to end the game in a 1:1 deadlock.
Ahmed told thenff.com; “I want to praise the Falconets for putting up a great effort despite the fact that they were playing away, and also despite the very cold weather. I have heard reports of how the weather made the game difficult for our girls.
“No doubt, I have confidence that the Falconets will go all out and win the second leg in Benin City next week, to qualify for the final round of qualifiers”
The winner of the reverse leg scheduled for the 18th of November at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City will proceed to the final round of the African Qualifiers.
Trabzonspor’s Ogenyi Onazi and KAA Gent’s, Moses Simon, will be unavailable for Nigeria as they face Algeria and Argentina on the 10th and 14th of this month respectively.
The Super Eagles have already qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia, but will have to face Algeria in the final group stage match slated for Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui, Constantine.
Nigeria’s Coach Gernot Rohr has called in two replacements for the players; Kayode Olanrenwaju and Kenneth Omeruo.
According to thenff.com, all the technical crew and backroom staff arrived in Rabat on Sunday with Ahmed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel Agu and Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Oghenekaro Etebo, Alex Iwobi, Olanrewaju Kayode, Henry Onyekuru, Chidiebere Nwakali, Kelechi Iheanacho, Uche Agbo, Chidozie Awaziem, John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme joined in on Monday, while Captain John Obi Mikel, Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi arrived on Tuesday.
After the matchup against Les Fennecs on Friday, the Eagles will fly aboard a chartered flight to Krasnodar, Russia, where they will face Argentina on Tuesday’s international friendly.
