In a highly contested encounter, Nigeria and Burkina Faso settled for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the third-round qualifier for the 2024 U17 Women’s World Cup, according to Sportblog247.com.

Chidi Harmony provided Nigeria with the lead ten minutes into the second half, but Burkina Faso’s Rainata Oubda equalized late in the match, denying the Flamingos a crucial victory.

The game, held at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, saw both teams operating in unfamiliar territory, as Burkina Faso lacked suitable facilities to host the match.

Despite Nigeria’s dominance, particularly showcased by their 12-0 aggregate victory over the Central African Republic in the previous round in February, the match remained goalless at halftime due to a combination of missed opportunities and solid defending.

However, Harmony’s breakthrough in the 55th minute provided a glimmer of hope for the Flamingos. Yet, her missed chance to extend the lead ten minutes from time proved costly when Oubda capitalized on a defensive error to level the score for Burkina Faso.

The return leg is set for May 18 at the Abuja National Stadium, where both teams will vie for a spot in the fourth and final round of qualifiers.

The victor between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will face off against the winner of the match between Senegal and Liberia, with the ultimate goal of securing a place in the Dominican Republic 2024 U17 Women’s World Cup.