The world governing body for football, FIFA, has moved the first leg of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round encounter between Nigeria and Burundi from Bujumbura to Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania. The reason for the switch? The Bujumbura pitch has been deemed unfit to host the crucial match.
This announcement comes alongside confirmation that the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will expand to a 24-team tournament (up from 16 as seen in Costa Rica last year). Africa has been granted two additional slots, making the Nigeria-Burundi clash the final qualifying hurdle. The winner over two legs will earn a coveted ticket to Colombia.
Burundi will now welcome the Falconets at the Azam Stadium Complex in Dar es Salaam, the same venue where the Nigerians drew 1-1 with their Tanzanian counterparts in the previous round before edging them 2-1 in Abuja to reach this stage.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed South African official Nonjabulo Nonhle Ndlela as the referee for the match scheduled for Sunday, January 14th, 2024. Her compatriots Maneo Evodia Tau and Nandipha Menze will serve as first and second assistant referees respectively, with Nteboheleng Theresia Setoko from Lesotho as the fourth official.
Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda and Fransiska Katjaimo from Namibia will complete the matchday roster as commissioner and referee assessor, respectively.
For the return leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, Tunisian official Asma Chouchane will take charge, assisted by her compatriots Houda Afine, Nesrine Ouertatani, and Emna Ajbouni. Christine Ziga from Ghana and Fadouma Dia from Senegal will assume the roles of commissioner and referee assessor, respectively.
Meanwhile, all 25 players invited by Head Coach Chris Musa Danjuma for the fixture have received notification to arrive in the Federal Capital, Abuja, on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023. Training sessions for the first leg commence the following day.
With the stage set in Dar es Salaam, the Falconets aim to take flight and secure their passage to the prestigious tournament in Colombia. The Nigerians will face a determined Burundi side eager to cause an upset and make history. This two-legged tie promises to be a thrilling encounter, and all eyes will be on the pitch as the battle for a World Cup berth unfolds.