Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will regroup in Abuja on Sunday as preparations continue for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Head coach Bankole Olowookere has invited 30 players to camp as he begins the process of building a strong squad capable of challenging for the trophy. The provisional list includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and eight forwards.
Among the standout names are Bayelsa Queens trio — goalkeeper Sylva Echefu, striker Kindness Ifeanyi and midfielder Shakirat Moshood. Moshood, 16, has been one of the brightest young stars in Nigerian women’s football. She has shone at the ongoing WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, scoring three goals and providing four assists to help Bayelsa Queens reach Friday’s final against hosts ASEC Mimosas. Her impressive form has also made her a strong contender for player of the tournament.
Nigeria booked their ticket to Morocco earlier this year with comfortable wins over South Africa and Algeria. The Flamingos last appeared on the world stage in 2022, when they claimed bronze, and Olowookere will now be aiming to build on that success with fresh talent.
The 2025 World Cup will be the first to feature 24 teams and will also mark the start of five consecutive tournaments hosted by Morocco. Matches will take place in Rabat and Casablanca across four venues — the Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Al Barid Stadium and the Mohamed VI Football Academy.
The competition will run from 17 October to 8 November, with Nigeria entering as one of the favourites in global youth women’s football.
Full List of 30 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)