Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will have the advantage of playing their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground, with the world body having insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou as their home venue is not up to standard.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, Bamako, where they will host the Flamingos on Saturday, 11th May starting from 4 pm Mali time.

The return leg will come up at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 18th May starting from 4.30 pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium, with her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

For the return leg in Abuja, Aline Umutoni from Rwanda will be the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively. Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official, with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will depart from Abuja on Wednesday, 8th May.