Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has decided to throw open the gates of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to supporters expected to throng the arena for the first leg of the 2018 FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Qualifier between Nigeria and Tanzania on Saturday.

The decision was guided by the desire to attract more supporters to the arena, to cheer the Falconets to victory in Benin City.

However, access to the State Box and the State Box Extension would be strictly by invitation.

The match scheduled for Saturday 16th September, will give the Falconets' opportunity to win comfortably and make the second leg a mere formality.

Nigeria finished as runners–up at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2010 and 2014, and also reached the quarter finals in 2004, 2006 and 2008, and the semi finals in 2012.

The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in four cities in France, 7th – 26th August 2018.

The Tanzanian U20 Women delegation fly into Abuja on Thursday and proceeded to Benin City the same day.

The second leg will take place in Dar es Salaam on 30th September, with the winner on aggregate to tackle the winner of the Morocco/Senegal in the second round coming up in November.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Vincentia Enyonam Amedome from Togo as referee for Saturday’s match.

She will be assisted by compatriots Kossiwa Kpadenou (Assistant 1), Abra Sitsope Agbedanou (Assistant 2) and Aissata Ameyo Amegee (Fourth Official).

The match commissioner is Rochell Woodson from Liberia.

Igho Kingsley