Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, have opened camp in Abuja as preparations begin for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November.
Head coach Bankole Olowookere has called up 30 players, including four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and nine forwards, for the exercise. The invited players are expected to report to camp on Sunday.
Among the invited players are goalkeepers Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels), Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers), Abigail Nmecha (Team Abia) and Sylva Echefu (Bayelsa Queens). Defenders called up include Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies), Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels), Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo), Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers), Ufuoma Lucky (Royal Queens, Warri), Choice Ovwighovwiroro (New Generation, Abuja), Maryjane Ikeche (Ahudiyannem Queens), Blessed Isigbo (Remo Stars Ladies) and Grace Ufot (Fortress Ladies).
The midfield is headlined by Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens), Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy), Fatimah Shuaib (Confluence Queens), Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy), Taiwo Lukman (Confluence Queens), Esther Lasisi (N-Youth, Abuja), Precious Nkwocha (Imo Strikers), Gift Anekan (New Generation, Abuja) and Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC).
In attack, the squad features Kaosara Olanrewaju (Aisha Yusuf Academy, Lagos), Kindness Ifeanyi (Bayelsa Queens), Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy), Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy), Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo), Destiny Itodore (Delta Queens), Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels) and Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99).
The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 edition of the competition, secured qualification for this year’s expanded 24-team tournament after defeating South Africa and Algeria in the qualifying series.
The tournament will mark the start of Morocco’s hosting rights for five successive editions and will be staged across four venues in two cities.
The venues include the Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sport Complex, Al Barid Stadium and the Mohamed VI Football Academy.
