Sports News | 4 February 2012 Last updated at 16:01 CET
FIFA U-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
By NBF News
Nigeria's Under 17 Women's team, otherwise known as the Flamingos, looks almost certain to progress to the final round of the qualifying race for one of the tickets to represent Africa at this year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup holding in Azerbaijan later in the year.
The Peter Dedevbo-tutored side keeps a date with its Kenyan counterpart in the reverse fixture of the qualifying contest. Both sides met two weeks ago in Nairobi in the first leg encounter with the Nigerian girls better by 2-0 after 90minutes.
But Dedevbo and his charges have vowed to show no mercy on the Kenyans this afternoon inside the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
'We are aware of the expectations of Nigeria from us. Last year was a disappointing story in the history of Nigerian football with virtually all the national teams failing to qualify for the major international competitions. We not only have to beat Kenya but also must qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. We shall attack the Kenyans as if we lost the first leg in Nairobi' Dedevbo said ahead of today's return leg.
Former Falconets coach Dan Evumena believes that today's encounter is a mere formality for the Flamingos with their 2-0 advantage from the first leg encounter in Nairobi but warned the Nigerian girls against complacency.
'The match in Abeokuta is a mere formality but our girls must not relax with the 2-0 victory' he warned.
The Kenyan Football Federation had alleged that Nigeria fielded over aged players in the first leg encounter in Nairobi penultimate weekend.
But Evumena advised the technical crew of the Flamingos not to be distracted by the Kenyans' allegation stressing that the coach should stick to the squad that beat the Kenyan team in Nairobi in the first leg.
'I will advise the coach stick to the squad he used against Kenya in Nairobi in the return leg in Abeokuta. I pray that the girls remain it for the game on Saturday (today). Any attempt to change the squad would appear to lend credence to the claim of the Kenyans that we fielded over-aged players in the first leg' Evumena reasoned.
'As far as I'm concerned, Kenya's claim is baseless. If they have a case, let them table it to CAF or FIFA' he added.
Coach Dedevbo will count on the inspirational midfield play of Captain Victoria Idolormon for a comprehensive victory over the Kenyan team. The Nigerian girls who look good to edge out their Kenyan counterpart at the end of today's game would most likely meet Zambia in the last round of the Africa qualifiers for the World Cup in Azerbajan billed for September. Zambia defeated Botswana 5-0 in their first leg clash in Gaborone a fortnight ago. Both sides will meet this weekend in Lusaka in the return leg fixture.
Nigeria's Flamingos reached the quarterfinals at the last FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010. The Nigerian team tutored by Dedevbo was knocked-out of the tournament by eventual winner, South Korea.
The Peter Dedevbo-tutored side keeps a date with its Kenyan counterpart in the reverse fixture of the qualifying contest. Both sides met two weeks ago in Nairobi in the first leg encounter with the Nigerian girls better by 2-0 after 90minutes.
But Dedevbo and his charges have vowed to show no mercy on the Kenyans this afternoon inside the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
'We are aware of the expectations of Nigeria from us. Last year was a disappointing story in the history of Nigerian football with virtually all the national teams failing to qualify for the major international competitions. We not only have to beat Kenya but also must qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. We shall attack the Kenyans as if we lost the first leg in Nairobi' Dedevbo said ahead of today's return leg.
Former Falconets coach Dan Evumena believes that today's encounter is a mere formality for the Flamingos with their 2-0 advantage from the first leg encounter in Nairobi but warned the Nigerian girls against complacency.
'The match in Abeokuta is a mere formality but our girls must not relax with the 2-0 victory' he warned.
The Kenyan Football Federation had alleged that Nigeria fielded over aged players in the first leg encounter in Nairobi penultimate weekend.
But Evumena advised the technical crew of the Flamingos not to be distracted by the Kenyans' allegation stressing that the coach should stick to the squad that beat the Kenyan team in Nairobi in the first leg.
'I will advise the coach stick to the squad he used against Kenya in Nairobi in the return leg in Abeokuta. I pray that the girls remain it for the game on Saturday (today). Any attempt to change the squad would appear to lend credence to the claim of the Kenyans that we fielded over-aged players in the first leg' Evumena reasoned.
'As far as I'm concerned, Kenya's claim is baseless. If they have a case, let them table it to CAF or FIFA' he added.
Coach Dedevbo will count on the inspirational midfield play of Captain Victoria Idolormon for a comprehensive victory over the Kenyan team. The Nigerian girls who look good to edge out their Kenyan counterpart at the end of today's game would most likely meet Zambia in the last round of the Africa qualifiers for the World Cup in Azerbajan billed for September. Zambia defeated Botswana 5-0 in their first leg clash in Gaborone a fortnight ago. Both sides will meet this weekend in Lusaka in the return leg fixture.
Nigeria's Flamingos reached the quarterfinals at the last FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010. The Nigerian team tutored by Dedevbo was knocked-out of the tournament by eventual winner, South Korea.
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