As the controversy of the AFCON match between Nigeria and Libya takes center stage in world football, Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, Flamingoes will tomorrow Wednesday at the Estadio Cibao FC, Santiago de Los Cabelloros open the world U17 women’s football to be hoasted by the Dominic Republic.
The tournament featuring 16 teams for the last time will change to 24 teams from next year when it will become an annual event and no more biannual as it is now. It features in two cities at the Cabelleros earlier mentioned and at Estadio Felix Sanchez, Santo Domingo where the Flamingoes will play their last group match.
Coach Bankole Olowookere who I call ‘Olowo Squirrel’ (The Money man who buys Squirrel) has assured Nigerians that his team will not come back empty handed as the competition is expected to close 3rd November.
His team plays the opening match against New Zealand tomorrow at 2100 Nigerian time in group A while hosts Dominic Republic battles Ecuador on Thursday at 0000 hours; face Ecuador on Saturday at 2100 hours in the 2nd match while Dominic square up against New Zealand on Sunday at 0000 hours and then the last group match against Dominic on Wednesday at 0000 hours same time Ecuador will tackle New Zealand.
No African team has ever lifted the trophy or played in the finals but Ghana won Bronze in 2012 when she beat Germany 1-0 in the 3rd place match at Tofia Bahramov stadium after she lost the semifinal 0-2 to France.
Nigeria equaled the feat at the last games in India when she beat same Germany 3-2 on penalties after 3-3 at full time at Patil stadium Navi Munbai. Nigeria lost the semifinal to Columbia 5-6 on penalties after a goalless full time at Margao.
Zambia and Kenya are the other African countries in this tournament.
New Zealand, Nigeria’s opponent in the tournament opener on Wednesday has made 7 appearances meaning the team has been in all tournaments after hosting the maiden edition in 2008 but they got a podium finish with bronze in 2018. In all other appearances 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2022 they were ousted at the group stages.
Teams from the Asian Football Confederation and EUFA won the 7 titles available so far. Asian got 4 and EUFA had 3.
North Korea won 2008 and 2016; South Korea won 2010 and Japan won 2014. The Silver medals went to Japan in 2010 and 2016, North Korea 2012. North Korea placed 4th in 2010.
France won from the EUFA block in 2012 while Spain also won twice in 2018 and 2022. Spain won Silver in 2014 and got Bronze in 2010 and 2016 before Germany won the Bronze in 2018. England placed 4th in 2008 at the first edition and Germany also placed 4th in 2012.
The CONCACAF Region never won the title but USA got Silver in 2008 and Mexico also in 2018 while Canada placed 4th in 2018.
CONMEBOL only got 4th position twice through Venezuela in 2014 and 2016.
New Zealand from OCEANIC FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION OFC that Nigeria opens the 2024 tournament with bagged the Bronze in 2018.
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However, Spain will meet USA in group B tomorrow too at 2100 hours; South Korea will lock horns with Columbia on Thursday at 0000 in Group B; that Thursday North Korea will open Group C against Mexico at 2100 and Japan will open Group D same Thursday against Poland also at 2100 hours.
There are four debutante countries in this edition namely hosts Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Kenya and Poland.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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