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Nigeria’s women’s cadet team, Flamingos coach Akeem Busari and team captain Harmony Chidi have captured global attention ahead of their tango with Poland at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Sports247 reports that as both teams prepare for their opening match of this year’s World Cup on Saturday, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) served a detailed preview on what to expect from the two countries.
Read also: “Every team in the World Cup is a champion”: Busari warns the Flemish not to underestimate their opponents in Morocco
The trailer, which appeared in two installments on fifa.com a few hours before the start of this year’s Women’s Cadet World Championship on Friday, noted that Busari is in charge of the Flamingos for the first time, while Chidi has been at this level once before.
The trailer read in detail: “Poland, fresh from hosting their first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, are returning after missing out on last year’s event and will be eager to make up for lost time.
“Their path to this final tournament was secured with a 2-0 play-off victory over England in the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship (while) Nigeria swept the African Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualification with four consecutive victories.
“(The Nigerian team) will be led by Akeem Busari, after a fruitful three-tournament run under the guidance of Bankole Olowookere. They defeated Benin in the final round of the African qualifiers.
“Participations: 9 (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026). Best result in the U-17 World Cup: Third place (2022). Player to watch: Harmony Chidi.
“(She) already has previous experience in these finals, having scored in Dominican Republic 2024. She was only 14 years old then, but she returns to Morocco as captain.
“After leading them with five goals and leading them to the WAFU B U17 Women’s Cup in September with three more, Chidi brings boundless energy and blistering pace to the Flamingos’ front line.
“(On the other hand, Poland qualified after winning) the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship playoff. Participations: 2 (2024, 2026). Best result in the Under-17 World Cup: Quarterfinals. Coach: Paulina Kawalec
“Player to watch: Hard-working midfielder Zofia Burzan is already making waves at the Czarni Sosnowiec club, where she has so far managed four assists and one goal.
“She also dazzled in the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship (and scored) all four of Poland’s goals, including both in the play-off victory over England, to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.”
