Nigeria have been handed a big test in the opening group game at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup following the group stage draw for the competition held, Friday, in Zurich.
The Flamingoes will kick off their World Cup campaign with a date against Germany; same day as the opening ceremony of the tournament.
In previous editions in 2008 and 2012, the Germans finished in third and fourth places respectively, and those have been their best performances in the competition.
On the other hand, Bankole Olowookere has his job caught out for him because Nigeria has never gone beyond the quarter-final stages in all five previous outings.
The draw, which held inside FIfa’s HQ in Switzerland, also pitched the Flamingos alongside Chile and New Zealand.
While Chile are making only their second appearance after a first round exit in 2010, New Zealand on their part finished their at the last edition in Uruguay and in their sixth attempt, plus the young football Ferns have not failed to qualify the tournament since inception.
Nigeria’s full fixtures:
Germany v Nigeria (October 11)
New Zealand v Nigeria (October 14)
Nigeria v Chile (October 17)
All the games will be played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao.
Full Group stage draw:
GROUP A:
India, USA, Morocco, Brazil
GROUP B:
Germany, Nigeria, Chile, New Zealand
GROUP C:
Spain, Colombia, Mexico, China
GROUP D:
Japan, Tanzania, Canada, France
