Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will regroup in Abuja on Sunday as preparations intensify for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere has invited 30 players to camp as he begins shaping a squad capable of challenging for the title.
The provisional list includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and nine strikers.
Among them are three standout players from Bayelsa Queens — goalkeeper Sylva Echefu, forward Kindness Ifeanyi, and midfielder Shakirat Moshood, who has emerged as one of the most exciting teenagers in Nigerian women’s football.
Moshood, 16, has been outstanding in the WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals and registering four assists to power Bayelsa Queens into Friday’s final against hosts ASEC Mimosas. Her blistering form has positioned her as a frontrunner for player of the tournament.
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Nigeria sealed qualification for Morocco with emphatic victories over South Africa and Algeria earlier this year.
The Flamingos were bronze medallists at the 2022 World Cup, and Olowookere’s task is to build on that success while blooding fresh talent.
The 2025 edition will be the first expanded 24-team FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and the first of five consecutive tournaments to be hosted by Morocco.
Matches will be staged across four venues in Rabat and Casablanca, including the Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Al Barid Stadium, and the Mohamed VI Football Academy.
The finals will run from October 17 to November 8, with Nigeria entering the competition as one of the heavyweights in youth women’s football.
FULL LIST: 30 INVITED FLAMINGOS STARS
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)