Falconets and Flamingoes takes to the battle field

The Nigeria Football Federation has arranged a friendly match between the Nigeria U-17 women national team and their sister U20 women otherwise known as, Falconets.


The match scheduled to be played on January 18th, will be Flamingoes first test match since resuming camp earlier this year.

The Coach Bala Nkiyu led Flamingoes and the Coach Peter Dedevbo led Falconets are expected to use the match to prepare for the 2014 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica and next weekend's U20 women's World Cup qualifier second leg clash against South Africa.

Falconets dismissed South Africa U20 women 6-0 in the first tie and will be hoping to lecture their sisters on the rudiments of soccer on Saturday.

The former assistant coach said the friendly is crucial for the success of his wards as they prepare to confront any opponents at the global football event.

“Our preparation is very important to succeed at the World Cup, we are happy the friendly with the Falconets. It is coming at the right time as it will provide us a good test of our strength and readiness.

“We have been training for the past few weeks and friendly matches like this will help us (technical crew) assess the players in view of moulding a strong team,” he added.

The encounter will be played at the FIFA Goal Project centre in Abuja.

The defence line of the U17 side should feature the duo of Fc Robo captain, Habeebat Akinwande and Pelican Stars utility teenager, Bukola Ogunnoiki, while the midfield will be well complemented by Cynthia Aku and Tessy Biawho, skipper of the Flamingoes. The attack will be a mixture of power, pace and trickery, and the trio of Chinwendu Ihezuo, Ginika Ikeh, Rashidat Adebisi, Uche Kalu and Aminat Yakubu have important roles to play.

As for Faloconets they have the likes Ibijoke Sangonuga, Fasilat Adeyemo, Jiroro Idike, Asisat Oshoala, Osas Igbinovia, Winifred Eyebhoria, Yetunde Adeboyejo, Chidinma Edeji, Sunday Uchechi-Lopes, Victori Aidelomon, Halimatu Ayinde, Gladys Abaasi, Patience Okaeme, Sandra Chichi, Ugo Njoku and Andy Gift to execute the job. They are on an unbeaten streak of 6 matches.

This match will attract the needed fire works as the Tessy Biawho captained Flamingoes will hope to cause an upset against the Patience Okaeme skippered Falconets. Both leaders are on the payroll of Delta Queens.

The kick off time for the match is 3pm Nigeria time on Saturday.

The Flamingoes would play in Group D with China Peoples Republic, Mexico and Colombia at the FIFA U-17 World Cup that will hold between March 15 and April 4 2014.