Canada will open the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 against group opponent Nigeria this Saturday, September 22. The match at Tofig Bahramov Stadium kicks off at 5 a.m. PT.
Canada's roster features four Whitecaps FC Girls Elite players: defender Aman Shergill, midfielder/striker Jasmin Dhanda, and strikers Summer Clarke and Elissa Neff.
"Nigeria is becoming more and more organized in its women's football program," said Canadian U-17 head coach Bryan Rosenfeld. "They are definitely a squad with which to be reckoned. They have strengths with which we will have to handle, but we also have strengths with which they will have to handle."
Like Canada, Nigeria is participating in its third FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup tournament. In fact, Nigeria has participated in all nine FIFA women's youth tournaments (U-20 and U-17), winning a silver medal at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Germany 2010.
The 16-team FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 runs from September 22 to October 13, with group matches played from September 22 to 30. This year's tournament features players born 1995 or later. This marks the third edition of the biennial tournament.
