According to head coach Bankole Olowookere the Flamingos of Nigeria still have a long way to go if they want to knock out the Bantwana of South Africa.
In the opening leg of their FIFA U17 Women's World Cup qualifier, Nigeria's Flamingos recorded a hard-fought 1-3 win against the South African U17 women's national team, Bantwana at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
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10:02 - 08.03.2025
Nigeria vs South Africa: Time and where to watch Flamingos vs Bantwana FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier
Time and where to watch Nigeria's Flamingos take on the Bantwana of South Africa in a 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier.
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16:49 - 08.03.2025
South Africa 1-3 Nigeria: Flamingos beat Bantwana in 1st leg World Cup qualifier
The Flamingos of Nigeria went to South Africa and defeated the Bantwana 3-1 in a 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup 1st leg qualifier.
Shakirat Moshood gave Nigeria the lead 20 minutes into the game, and three minutes after the interval, Harmony Chidi added a second goal.
Katleho Malebana, the captain of South Africa, responded with a composed penalty kick in the 47th minute of the second half.
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Chidi grabbed her brace in the 68th minute to put the South Africans out of the game.
Ntombifuthi Khumalo, the head coach of Bantwana, acknowledged the areas that require development but expressed optimism for a successful return in Nigeria.
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Olowookere on Flamingos
Olowookere Bankole, the coach of the Flamingos, praised his team's performance but anticipates a more difficult matchup in the return leg.
He said, “We had a good result.
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"But we need to improve on a few things for the next game, as I know South Africa is also going to improve.”
Both teams still have a chance of qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, with the second leg set for March 15, 2025, at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Nigeria.