Flamingoes off to face Zambia

Players and officials of the U-17 Women National Team, nicknamed Flamingos, on Wednesday departed for Lucky, Zambia, ahead of this weekend’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match between both nations.

Saturday’s clash at the Independence Stadium, Lusaka is the first leg of the African series final qualifying fixture, following the Flamingoes’ 5-0 aggregate win over Kenya and Zambia’s 7-2 demolition of Botswana.

Head Coach Peter Dedevbo led out 18 players and 10 officials aboard a South African Airways flight to Johannesburg, from where the team will connect another flight to the Zambian capital.

The winner of the two-leg fixture will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals, taking place in Azerbaijan, September/October.

“My girls are fully prepared for the match in Zambia. We realize the importance of getting a good result in the first leg, in order to make life easier for ourselves during the second leg.

“We will not under-rate the Zambians, because we know how good they are, but we certainly do not fear them. It is a battle and we are determined to win,” Coach Dedevbo said on Wednesday.

The return leg takes place at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on Saturday, March 24.