Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will regroup in Abuja on Sunday to continue preparations for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Head coach Bankole Olowookere has called up 30 players as he begins work on building a strong squad capable of challenging for the title. The list includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and eight forwards.
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Among the invited players are three stars from Bayelsa Queens — goalkeeper Sylva Echefu, striker Kindness Ifeanyi, and midfielder Shakirat Moshood. Moshood, only 16, has been in excellent form at the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals and providing four assists to help Bayelsa Queens reach the final against hosts ASEC Mimosas. She is already being tipped as a contender for player of the tournament.
Nigeria booked their place at the World Cup with big wins over South Africa and Algeria earlier this year. The Flamingos, who won bronze at the 2022 World Cup, will aim to go even further this time with a mix of experienced youngsters and new talent.
The 2025 competition will be the first to feature 24 teams and will be hosted by Morocco for five consecutive editions. Matches will take place in Rabat and Casablanca across four venues: Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Al Barid Stadium, and the Mohamed VI Football Academy.
The tournament will run from 17 October to 8 November, with Nigeria entering as one of the favourites in youth women’s football.
Full List of Invited Players
Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Abigail Nmecha (Team Abia); Sylva Echefu (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: 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); Grace Ufot (Fortress Ladies)
Midfielders: 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); Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC)
Forwards: 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); Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99)
