The first leg of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round match between Nigeria and Burundi has been relocated from Bujumbura to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The decision was made due to the unsuitability of the pitch in Bujumbura. This change was announced alongside the expansion of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup to a 24-team tournament, with two additional slots granted to Africa.
Therefore, the Nigeria-Burundi match serves as the final qualifying hurdle, with the winner earning a place in the tournament in Colombia.
The match in Dar es Salaam will be officiated by Nonjabulo Nonhle Ndlela from South Africa as the referee, supported by Maneo Evodia Tau and Nandipha Menze as assistant referees, and Nteboheleng Theresia Setoko from Lesotho as the fourth official. Angelique Tuyishime from Rwanda and Fransiska Katjaimo from Namibia will also be present as the commissioner and referee assessor, respectively.
The return leg will take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria, and will be refereed by Asma Chouchane from Tunisia, assisted by Houda Afine, Nesrine Ouertatani, and Emna Ajbouni, all from Tunisia. Christine Ziga from Ghana and Fadouma Dia from Senegal will fulfill the roles of commissioner and referee assessor, respectively. The Nigerian team, under the guidance of Head Coach Chris Musa Danjuma, has notified all 25 invited players to arrive in Abuja on December 27th, 2023, with training sessions commencing the following day.
With the match set to take place in Dar es Salaam, the Falconets of Nigeria aim to secure their place in the prestigious tournament in Colombia. Meanwhile, Burundi will be determined to cause an upset and make history. This two-legged tie promises to be an exciting and closely contested encounter as both teams battle for a World Cup berth.