Flamingoes Intensify Preparation For Kenya

Nigeria’s Under-17 Women’s National Team have stepped up their preparation for the 2012 Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Kenya.

CAF has confirmed that the first leg of the qualifying fixture will take place in Nairobi this Saturday, with the second leg due in Nigeria two weeks after.

On January 2, the 31 players who survived the screening exercise supervised by Head Coach Peter Dedevbo resumed camping at the Fifa Technical Centre, Abuja, and were immediately met with an address by Dedevbo.

“Nigeria is the biggest powerhouse in women’s football in Africa, and what I must tell you is that everyone expects us to not only defeat Kenya, but go ahead to qualify for the Fifa U-17 World Cup. There are millions who also expect us to do well at the Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

“So, I must welcome you with a challenge of total commitment to the cause, and remind you of the importance of patriotism in everything you do,” said Dedevbo, who led the Class of 2010 that reached the World Cup quarter finals in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nigeria has featured in the past two editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, starting with the inaugural edition in New Zealand in 2008.

Last Thursday, the Flamingoes edged Women Professional League club, Nasarawa Amazons 2-1 in a friendly game played at the FIFA Football Turf of the Technical Centre.

The match was watched by NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

Amadu said: “I think the technical crew members are doing a good job. The team is taking shape and I believe that come Saturday week, we should get a good result in Nairobi.”