Nigeria’s Flamingos are set to face defending champions Korea DPR on Friday in a crucial Group B encounter at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake, Trybal News reports.
The 2022 bronze medallists head into the fixture knowing that a win or draw will guarantee their progression to the knockout stage, while a defeat could leave their fate dependent on the result between Poland and Puerto Rico and the applicable tiebreakers.
Korea DPR have been in impressive form, winning both of their opening matches to top Group B. The two-time champions have scored 12 goals and conceded just one, underlining their strength as they seek another title.
Nigeria, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland before responding with a 2-0 victory over tournament debutants Puerto Rico to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Head coach Akeem Busari and his players will need a disciplined defensive performance and clinical finishing to overcome the formidable North Koreans and secure their place in the next round.
The two sides have met twice at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria won their first encounter 3-2 in 2010, before Korea DPR recorded a 3-0 victory in 2016.
Friday’s clash offers the Flamingos an opportunity to build on their recent victory and demonstrate their ability to compete against the tournament’s leading sides.
The match will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigerian time) at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé/Rabat, Morocco.
