Bankole Olowookere, head coach of Nigeria’s under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, has named a 19-player squad to face South Africa in their U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture, Afrosport reports.
Olowookere has called upon goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo, midfielders Shakirat Moshood and Muinat Rotimi, and forwards Harmony Chidi and Chisom Nwachukwu.
The Flamingos will head to South Africa on Wednesday for the first leg of their double-header against the Bantwana.
The two teams will lock horns at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 March, at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigerian time), with Kenyan referee Josephine Wanjiku selected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to officiate the match.
The Flamingos drew a bye to reach the second round in the qualifiers, while Bantwana dominated Gabon 21-2 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, both teams will face off in the return fixture at the Remon Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday, 15 March, with the winner over the two legs advancing to the final round of qualification, where they will take on either Botswana or Algeria.
This year’s U17 Women’s World Cup will take place from 17 October to 8 November, with the four finalists from the qualifiers joining hosts Morocco as Africa’s representatives in the new 24-nation format.
Full Flamingos 19-player squad for South Africa
Christiana Uzoma, Onyinyechi Opara, Hannah Ibrahim, Jumai Adebayo, Temilade Fafore, Shavih Istifanus, Taiwo Adegoke, Shakirat Moshood, Muinat Rotimi, Azeezat Oduntan, Philomena Ochanya, Aishat Animashaun, Elizabeth Boniface, Queen Joseph, Olamide Olanrewaju, Chisom Nwachukwu, Harmony Chidi, Favour Iheagwaram, Christiana Sunday
