The Black Maidens are yet to start serious group training ahead of the 2021 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria in October 2020 and this is according to head coach Baba Nuhu.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held between 2 and 21 November 2020 as the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA announced on 3 April 2020 that the tournament would be postponed and rescheduled. On 12 May 2020, FIFA announced that the tournament will be held between 17 February – 7 March 2021, subject to further monitoring.
The maidens eliminated Liberia winning 10-0 on aggregate over two legs to reach the last hurdle of the qualification tournament. The games against Nigeria could not be played due to the outbreak of the Covid-19.
Three African teams will qualify for the World Cup finals next year in India. India as hosts, North Korea, Japan, New Zealand, England, Germany and Spain have already secured qualifications.
“The training has been good so far and you know under this situation, we have to revise our training schedule. ” Baba Nuhu told the GFA Communications.
“We know we have to observe all the protocols which we have not forgotten so what we are doing now is more of individual work, trying to see how we can work individually, not as one person.
We will still be in groups but more of individual work to be able to observe all the protocols. The players have been wearing the nose masks but once we come to training, it is taken off and after training they put it on again, even at dining.” coach Baba explained.
“We are fully aware of whatever that is happening and we are very careful. I am sure in the coming weeks; everything will be normal, then, we can revise our training accordingly.” he added.
The Maidens welcome their Nigeria opponents on October 30 before the second leg on November 20.
