U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers: Nigeria’s Flamingos meet Central African Republic after Mauritius’ withdrawal

The Flamingos are Africa’s most successful team at the Mundial, needing only two victories to lift the trophy last year

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, will clash with the Central African Republic in the second round of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.

This development follows the withdrawal of Mauritius from the qualifying race due to financial constraints.

As Africa’s best representative at the World Cup, Nigeria’s Flamingos were drawn into the second round.

Originally, Mauritius and Central African Republic were scheduled to lock horns in the first round this month.

However, the inability to secure sufficient funds to participate in the qualifiers led to Mauritius pulling out, paving the way for the Central African Republic to progress directly to the second round to set up a date with Nigeria.

The two-legged encounter between Nigeria and Central African Republic is scheduled to unfold between February 2 and 11, 2024.

This face-off will determine which team earns the coveted ticket to the upcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup, set to be hosted by the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

The Flamingos, who clinched a commendable third position at the last U-17 Women’s World Cup hosted by India, have a rich history in the competition.

They have participated in every edition, with the exception of 2018.

Before their breakthrough in the 2022 edition, where they triumphed over the USA in the quarterfinals via penalties, the team had only reached the quarterfinals in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 editions.