For this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic, Nigeria’s youth team’s head coach, Bankole Olowookere, has revealed the 21-woman Flamingos squad.
Captain Taiwo Afolabi, along with forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong, top the veteran coach’s list.
After surging past the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Liberia in the continental campaign, the bronze medallists from the previous tournament in India, headed by the clinical Chidi, scored 13 of the team’s record-breaking 25 goals in the qualification series.
Afolabi, Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood, and Ayomide Rotimi will lead from midfield.
Elizabeth Boniface and Sylvia Echefu will continuously put pressure on starting goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma to give her best effort.
Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders, while Harmony Chidi leads six other forwards, including Peace Effiong.
Nigeria will play Ecuador, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic, the host country, in Group A of the competition.
The Flamingos will leave Nigeria on Tuesday, October 1, via Turkish Airlines, for a two-week training tour in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital, before the competition gets underway.
Flamingos for 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)
Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels)
Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)
Forwards: Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)
