Liberia U-17 girls return to training ahead of Nigeria return leg in Abuja

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The Liberian U-17 girls are back in training after a 4-1 loss to their Nigerian counterparts and have shrugged off the big loss with training sessions on Tuesday.

Twenty players trained on Tuesday morning ahead of the team’s trip to Abuja for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier return leg against Nigeria.

They need to upturn their three-goal deficit to stand any chance of becoming the first Liberian national team (men or women) to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

The head coach of the team Sekou Dgeorges Manubah after the loss is still confident after surviving a similar fate in a 3-1 first-leg loss to Senegal in the previous round.

“Our opponents are not much different from us. They took their opportunities while we didn’t take ours,” coach told journalists after the match.

“I hope we can have a balanced game in Abuja. My squad, I am impressed, to be honest from where we come from.

“Seeing these young women giving their all. The passion is there. I am not sure we missed anything but there are a couple of things I know we need to work on. We will remain positive.” He concluded

The return leg will take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday with the winner of the two legs qualifying for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Flamingos won the bronze medal at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India and intend to surpass that feat this year under coach Bankole Olowookere.