Bankole Olowookere, head coach of Nigeria’s under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, has called upon 21 players to represent the country at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic next month.
Olowookere has named team captain Taiwo Afolabi and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong to the side, which also includes goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defender Taiwo Adegoke, and midfield star Faridat Abdulwahab.
Chidi was the star of the qualifying series, scoring 13 of the team’s 25 goals, as the Flamingos blitzed past the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Liberia in the continental qualifiers.
Nigeria, bronze medallists from the last edition of the tournament in India in 2022, have been drawn in Group A of the 16-team competition alongside hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Flamingos players and staff will head for Dominican Republic’s capital city, Santo Domingo, for a two-week training camp on Tuesday, October 1.
The Olowookere-led side will commence their participation in the U17 Women’s World Cup against New Zealand in their opening match on October 16, before taking on South American side Ecuador three days later. They will play their last group games against hosts Dominican Republic in the early hours of October 23.
FULL FLAMINGOS SQUAD FOR U17 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)
