JACQUELINE Shipanga is in Azerbaijan as part of the Technical Study Group (TSG) for the 2012 Fifa Under-17 Women's World Cup.

Shipanga was also part of the TSG at the under-17 World Cup after 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago, where they primarily analysed the competing teams during matches and training sessions.

The Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 is set to begin on Saturday with some 304 players from 16 nations taking part in the competition.

Tournament newcomers Gambia, who have been drawn in Group B, will be hoping their youthful line-up can make an impact for Africa in the 'Land of Fire'.

More than a quarter of their squad were born in 1998, among them the competition's youngest player Sainey Sissohore, well ahead of the eligibility cut-off date of 1 January 1995.

Like Gambia, Group D rivals China PR and Uruguay are appearing in the tournament for the first time, as are hosts, who line up in Group A.

Dauntingly, all four debutants will have to cross swords with at least one side that has been an ever-present at the Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup since its inception in 2008, namely Korea DPR, who join Gambia in Group B; Germany and Ghana, who are both in Group D; and Nigeria, who take on the host nation in Group A.

Only one section, Group C, is made up entirely of teams that have all played in the competition before: Mexico, New Zealand, Japan and Brazil.

The Fifa U-17 Women's World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 kicks off with the meeting between Colombia and Azerbaijan in Baku, with the hosts in action again three days later against the Nigerians in Lankaran.

In 2010 in the Trinidad and Tobago, South Korea were the winner with Japan as runner-up and the Koreas will not be in Azerbaijan to defend their crown. The first-ever women's under-17 world cup was hosted in 2008 and won by the other North Korea with the USA as runners-up.