Flamingoes arrive Windhoek, ready to confront Baby Gladiators

Nigeria’s U-17 girls, nicknamed Flamingoes, have arrived in Namibia ahead of Friday’s 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against that country’s Baby Gladiators.

Coach Bala Nikyu, his assistants, 18 players and backroom staff, alongside a couple of administrative officials, flew aboard a South African Airways airplane from Lagos to Johannesburg before connecting another South African Airways flight to Windhoek, on Wednesday morning.

The Flamingoes have never failed to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals since the event was launched in New Zealand in 2008. They thrashed the Baby Gladiators 4-0 in the first leg in Abuja penultimate weekend.

Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored two of the four goals in the first leg, said: “We are confident that we will progress into the last round of the qualifiers. Though, we will not under-rate the Baby Gladiators.

“Our Coaches have been telling us to forget the result of the first leg and play the second leg match as if we lost the first leg. Our spirit is high and we will do the country proud.”

Officials of the Namibia Football Association have confirmed that the second leg match will take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, starting from 4pm Namibia time (3pm Nigeria time).

The winner of this fixture will play South Africa’s U-17 girls, who have reached the final round of the qualification series following the withdrawal of Zambia.

This year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place in Jordan between 30th September and 21st October.

flamingoes celebrate victory in a previous match

18 FLAMINGOES FOR BATTLE OF WINDHOEK

Goalkeepers: Cynthia Nnadozie, Nimot Ajayi

Defenders: Esther Adeboye, Joy Duru, Patience Dike, Onyinyechi Ibe, Ijeoma Kenneth

Midfielders: Ramat Abdulkareem, Peace Efih, Precious Oyagbarh, Christy Ucheibe, Folashade Ijamilusi

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Cynthia Aku, Yetunde Fajobi, Rejoice Ikoyo, Kikelomo Olaiya, Chidinma Okeke

Eaglets Land In Santiago, Hail Nigeria Embassy

Cup holders, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, have arrived in Santiago, capital city of Chile as one of Africa’s four flag bearers at the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, which is to be hosted by Chile 2015 between October 17 and November 8.

Nigeria has the competition won a record four times with the last being two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The defending champions flew into Santiago from their pre-World Cup camp base in Buenos Aires at 8:20pm local time on Tuesday (which is early hours of Wednesday in Nigeria (12:20 am), aboard a Lan Airlines flight.

Speaking to the media on arrival, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and striker Victor Osimhen were upbeat about the chances of the Eaglets successfully defending the trophy.

Golden Eaglets Arrive Santiago

“We are here to defend the trophy,” said Amuneke.”We are here with new players who want to write their own history and we are looking forward to our first game against the United States of America, which is very important for us.”

Osimhen echoed the sentiment of Coach Amuneke, adding that they have been psyched up for the expected challenges as the defending champions. “We are here to win,” said Osimhen who is Golden Eaglets’ top scorer with 39 goals in 71 cumulative international and local matches.”Just as the coach said, we are here to write our own story as a team and players.”

Immediately after dinner at their Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Santiago-Vitacura, where they are accommodated for their opening match against USA on October 17, Amuneke reminded his wards to focus attention on nothing but football as the team seeks a fifth U-17 world title.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has applauded the Embassy of Nigeria in Argentina for rallying behind the Golden Eaglets during their pre-World Cup preparation in Buenos Aires.

Siji Lagunju, Assistant Director (Technical), on behalf of the Federation, said the Nigerian Embassy ably led by Mr. Tiwalade Adelanwa, the Deputy Head of Mission, contributed immensely to the Golden Eaglets’ successful stay in Buenos Aires.

Speaking to thenff.com before Golden Eaglets’ departure to Santiago on Tuesday for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, Lagunju said matter-of-factly that the embassy staff particularly Mr. Elekwachi Ndubuisi, Mrs. Felicia Ezeorah and Mr. Abolaji Olawunmi were very impressive in discharge of their duties.

Golden Eaglets Arrive Santiago

” I want to use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Embassy officials here in Argentina. We were well received right from the first day, they were hospitable like true Nigerians.

“It was great the NFF brought us to Buenos Aires Football (BAF) to prepare for the World Cup which is a conducive environment that allows for maximum concentration. We are equally very grateful to the staff of BAF and the liaison official from Eurodata, Juan Partricio who were also wonderful during our stay in Buenos Aires.”