Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has unveiled his final 21-player squad for Nigeria’s Flamingos campaign at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with standout stars Shakirat Moshood, Sylvia Echefu, Jumai Adebayo, and Queen Joseph among those selected to represent the nation.
The Flamingos arrived in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital, on Wednesday to begin the final phase of their preparations ahead of the global tournament, which will run from October 17 to November 8.
Olowookere, who guided Nigeria to a historic bronze medal at the 2022 edition in India, expressed confidence that the 2025 squad has the quality and determination to surpass that achievement.
“This group of players has shown great commitment, discipline, and hunger,” the coach said before the team’s departure. “We believe they have what it takes to make Nigeria proud and achieve something special in Morocco.”
The final list features a balanced mix of experience and youthful energy, with key players such as goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface, defenders Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday, midfielders Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji, as well as forwards Chisom Nwachukwu and Mariam Yahaya making the cut.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. The Flamingos will open their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before taking on France three days later. Both matches are scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale. Their final group stage fixture will be against Samoa on October 25 at 5 p.m.
The Flamingos head into the tournament in impressive form, having scored 44 goals without conceding in 10 warm-up matches during their build-up in Abuja.
Full 21-Player Squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup:
Goalkeepers:
Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels), Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers), Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders:
Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies), Jumai Adebayo (Rivers Angels), Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo), Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers), Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99), Fatimoh Shuaib (Nasarawa Amazons)
Midfielders:
Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens), Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy), Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy), Zainab Raji (Dannaz FC), Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy), Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC)
Forwards:
Kaosarat Olanrewaju (Ayishat Yusuf Academy, Lagos), Mariam Yahaya (FC Robo), Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy), Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo), Precious Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers), Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels)
With preparations complete and confidence high, the Flamingos will aim to make history by becoming the first Nigerian team to reach the final of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and possibly clinch the ultimate prize.
