As Flamingoes begin their Jordan 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification journey today when they take on the Baby Gladiators of Namibia in a second round, first leg match at the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has promised to provide all the necessary support to enable the team qualify for the tournament.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, visited the team yesterday with this promise, stating that the football body was making efforts to redefine the reward system of all the junior national teams based on global standard.

According to him: “I know there are challenges, but I can only tell you that as Nigerians, we always excel where we have challenges. On the part of the Nigerian Football Federation, we are already redefining our reward system to juniors based on the realities on ground and also based on global standard, that’s exactly what we are trying to do now.
“We will give you all the support we can… we know there are teething problems; this is just the begging of the year and you should understand that at the beginning of the year, there are budgetary constraints, but at the end of the day, we will definitely get to our destination
“What we are doing will eventually lead to your greatness, it will guild you and prepare to a state whereby you have a very good future. At the moment we are working with a lot of federations that are very popular in football, especially the US.”

Pinnick warned the girls against complacency, adding, however, “I heard they (Zambian female U-17) are talking tough, but they can only talk, when they are talking, we are playing and lets see who will win.
“The reason why I am not talking about the match against Namibia is because I know you have won it already by God’s grace. I know at this level we are vey good but, it is going to be a lot better than what you guys are going to do when we get to Jordan, because I know we would land in Jordan by God’s Grace.”

Responding, Flamingos Coach, Bala Nikyu, assured the NFF president that they team would emerge victorious after the encounter.
“By the special grace of God, you will come here on Saturday and you will laugh back to your house, because we would definitely make you proud and we would equally do the nation proud too.

Among the players Bala Nikyu is working with to do Nigeria proud today are midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade and Joy Duru, as well as Cynthia Aku and Juliet Godman.
The Flamingos have participated at every edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup since the first tournament in New Zealand in 2008.
The return leg has been scheduled to take place at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek on Friday, January 22.