Three African nations take on the world at 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup

The 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup will be a showcase for African women’s football, as teams from Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya aim to make their mark on the global stage. This tournament will not only test their skills but also celebrate the growth of women’s football across the continent.

The tournament, taking place in the Dominican Republic from 16 October to 3 November 2024, features three African teams: Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya.

Qualification Journey

• Nigeria: The Flamingos secured their spot after defeating Liberia 6-1 on aggregate. A 4-1 victory in the first leg and a 2-0 win in Abuja sealed their qualification.
• Zambia: The Copper Princesses triumphed 3-1 on aggregate against Morocco, with a 0-0 draw in the final leg in Morocco ensuring their return to the global stage after a ten-year absence.
• Kenya: The Harambee Starlets made history by qualifying for the first time, beating Burundi 5-0 on aggregate, with a 2-0 victory in Nairobi to confirm their place.

Match Schedule (local time)

• Nigeria (Group A):
  • Nigeria vs. New Zealand: 16 October 2024, 16:00 AST
  • Nigeria vs. Ecuador: 20 October 2024, 16:00 AST
  • Nigeria vs. Dominican Republic (host): 23 October 2024, 16:00 AST
• Kenya (Group C):
  • Kenya vs. North Korea: 17 October 2024, 16:00 AST
  • Kenya vs. Mexico: 20 October 2024, 19:00 AST
  • Kenya vs. England: 23 October 2024, 19:00 AST
• Zambia (Group D):
  • Zambia vs. Japan: 17 October 2024, 19:00 AST
  • Zambia vs. Poland: 20 October 2024, 16:00 AST
  • Zambia vs. Brazil: 23 October 2024, 19:00 AST

Players to Watch

• Nigeria:
  • Harmony Chidi (Forward): Scored 5 goals in qualifiers and contributed with 7 tackles and 10 key passes.
  • Rotimo Muinat (Midfielder): Completed 85% of her passes, made 12 interceptions, and scored 2 goals.
• Zambia:
  • Namute Chileshe (Forward): Netted 4 goals and successfully completed 15 dribbles, providing 5 key passes.
  • Precious Mwape (Defender): Made 20 tackles and 10 interceptions, ensuring defensive stability.
• Kenya:
  • Pearl Mungai (Midfielder): Completed 78% of her passes, scored 3 goals, and made 8 tackles.
  • Marion Serenge (Forward): Scored 2 goals and completed 10 dribbles, showcasing her ability to create opportunities.

Coaches’ Tactics

• Nigeria: Head coach Bankole Olowookere employs an offensive style focused on ball possession and quick transitions, utilizing the pace of the forwards to dominate matches.

• Zambia: Carol Kanyemba adopts a balanced approach with a strong defense and swift counterattacks, exploiting opponents’ weaknesses while maintaining structure.
• Kenya: Mildred Cheche prioritizes a solid defense and counterattacks, using a cautious strategy to capitalize on opportunities against more experienced teams.

Tournament History

• Nigeria: The most experienced of the three, having participated in six of the seven previous U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments. They finished third in the 2022 edition in India.

• Zambia: Participated in the 2014 U-17 Women’s World Cup and has seen rapid growth in recent years, competing in the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

• Kenya: Making their debut in the tournament, marking a historic milestone for Kenyan women’s football. Their strong qualifying campaign shows promise for their first-ever participation.