Tanzanite Queens optimistic in U-20 duel

NIGERIA: THE National Women’s Football Team ‘Tanzanite Queens’ Coach, Bakari Shime said his charges are in good shape as they gear up to face Nigeria (Falconets) tomorrow.

The duo will meet in the reverse leg match of the 2024 African U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification in a decisive match to be played in Nigeria.

The overall winner will move on to the next round of the qualifiers, making it an important game for either side.

“We arrived here safely and so far, our players are adapting well to the weather with full focus on the upcoming match on Sunday (tomorrow).

“As it stands, despite a 1-1 home draw in the first leg game, mathematically, we are behind them (Nigeria) on an away goal rule meaning that a goalless draw will favour them to go to the next phase.

“As such, we need to win here to be guaranteed an opportunity of reaching the second round or at least record a 2-2 draw that will give us an advantage to progress to the next round,” Shime said.

He added: “We are going to make a good plan that can help us to get the results we want in order to move forward in the competition.”

In their first-leg meeting at Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam, Chioma Osile put the Falconets upfront before a sublime free-kick from Asnath Ubamba that balanced the scoreboard.

Efforts to get the second goal by either side were not successful as the thrilling match meandered to the finishing line with each securing one goal in the bag.

The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final competition will take place in Colombia next year, with 24 finalists.