Nigeria vs New Zealand: 2024 FIFA U-17 WWC match preview
The Nigeria U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, is ready to kick off their 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup journey with an exciting opening match against New Zealand on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The tournament is hosted in the Dominican Republic, where Nigeria will compete in Group A alongside the hosts, Ecuador, and New Zealand.
Recent Form and Preparation
The Flamingos ramped up their preparation with a 1-1 draw against Mexico in a friendly match played on October 8 in the Dominican Republic. Head coach Bankole Olowookere used the match to fine-tune the squad ahead of the tournament.
Coming off a strong third-place finish in the 2022 edition in India, the Flamingos aim to surpass that achievement and challenge for the title this time.
Key Players to Watch
Harmony Chidi, who idolizes Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, will be one of Nigeria’s most potent weapons in the tournament. Chidi’s prolific form in the qualifiers saw her score 12 goals, including multiple hat-tricks, helping Nigeria dominate the qualification phase.
The Flamingos’ well-balanced squad includes a mix of experienced players and rising talents from clubs across Nigeria, such as Delta Queens, Imo Strikers, and Rivers Angels.
Nigeria Squad List
- Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens), Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens), Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)
- Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers), Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies), Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens)
- Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens), Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons), Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)
- Forwards: Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers), Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers), Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels)
Opponent Preview: New Zealand
New Zealand, under head coach Alana Gunn, will be aiming to improve on their last encounter with Nigeria, where the Flamingos secured a 4-0 victory at the 2022 World Cup. The New Zealand squad includes key players like Laura Bennett, who won the Golden Boot at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, and several overseas-based stars.
Match Details
- Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
- Venue: Cibao Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros
- Kick-off: 9 PM Nigerian Time
- Broadcast: FIFA+ and StarTimes
What’s Next for the Flamingos?
After the opening game, Nigeria will face hosts Dominican Republic and Ecuador as they push for qualification to the knockout stages. Expectations are high for the Flamingos, who are determined to bring home Nigeria’s first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
