The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has backed the Flamingos to overcome Mexico and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, Acting General Secretary of the NFF, gave the team a morale boost on Wednesday when he visited the Nigeria U-17 girls during their afternoon training session in Rabat.
Ikpeme urged the players to put their 3-1 victory over defending champions Korea DPR behind them and focus on Thursday’s Round of 16 clash against Mexico, with a place in the last eight at stake.
He encouraged the team to remain focused and determined as they prepare for the knockout encounter.
Thursday’s meeting will revive memories of the teams’ clash at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The Flamingos defeated Mexico 3-0 in a Group D fixture at the Estadio Nacional in San José on March 23, 2014, with Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Aminat Yakubu scoring for Nigeria.
Head coach Hakeem Busari had earlier urged his players to put their group-stage victories over Puerto Rico and Korea DPR behind them and prepare for the greater intensity of knockout football.
Busari will have his full 21-player squad available for selection, with in-form goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho and defenders Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen and Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf among the players expected to feature.
Favour Nkwocha and Tosin Rafiu, who represented the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland last month, could feature in midfield alongside Mary Dunstan.
In attack, Oluebube Umejiaku and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who have scored two goals each at the tournament, are expected to be considered for starting roles. Precious Oscar and Harmony Chidi, who were benched for Friday’s victory over the defending champions, are also options.