“We do not compare ourselves to Nigeria” – Confident Algeria coach eyes upset against Flamingos

Nigeria's Flamingos will have their hands full against a confident and determined opponent when they face Algeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the head coach of the North African side Abednour Mira has vowed ahead of their World Cup qualifier, Soccernet.ng reports. 

While acknowledging Nigeria’s pedigree at this level, Mira insists his side is “determined to get a result” when both teams clash in Ikenne on Saturday.

The first leg of the third-round FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00pm Nigerian time. The return leg is slated for Thursday, April 25 at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, Algeria.

With four African spots up for grabs at the expanded 24-team 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, the aggregate winner of this two-legged tie will seal a place at the global finals.

Algeria U-17 Women’s National Team (The Fennecs) Depart Remo Stars Stadium After First Training in Nigeria Ahead of Crucial FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier vs Flamingos pic.twitter.com/An7xD4HyYi

— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) April 17, 2025

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What Mira said before Algeria face Flamingos 

Speaking to journalist Ademola Victor, coach Abednour Mira underlined his team’s hunger and readiness against the Flamingos. 

He said, “We are on the ground in Nigeria after our deserved qualification against Tunisia and the second round against Botswana. We are here in Nigeria, this is our last session.”

MatchDay!

Morocco 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier (1st Leg)

Nigeria vs Algeria

Saturday, 19th April 2025
⏰ 4 PM (Nigerian Time)
️ Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, #TheMTNSuperFalconsShow #ThisIsNaija #WhereFootballLives. pic.twitter.com/BVyMsAGdM0

— The Super Falcons Show (@Superfalconshow) April 19, 2025

Despite admitting that Nigeria’s Flamingos will not be easy opponents to overcome, Mira believes his team has the mindset to cause an upset.

“We do not compare ourselves to Nigeria but we are determined after this motivation of two qualifiers,” Mira added.

“It is the third qualifying round for the World Cup. My players are aware of the mission that awaits them, they will give their all.”

Algeria’s U-17 women’s side may be newcomers to this stage — they only made their debut in 2015 and have never qualified for a World Cup — but they are not short on belief.

“It is an international match against us so we will try,” Mira stated.

“This year, Algeria has put a devise at the level of the U-17 selection so we are determined to do something, to show the faces of our youth, to face them and why not get the result in the first leg here and the second leg at Tshakir in Algeria.

“Everything is possible in football but we are determined to do something against this Nigerian team.”

Algeria have shown resilience to reach this point — narrowly edging Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate before recovering from a first-leg defeat to Botswana with a thumping 4-0 home win to seal a 5-2 overall victory.

However, Saturday’s clash represents a significant step up.

Nigeria’s Flamingos, who finished third at the 2022 edition of the World Cup in India, will pose a stern challenge — especially on home soil. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations at this level.