Morocco 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos make camp resumption on Sunday

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Head coach Bankole Olowookere has invited 30 players to the Flamingos’ training camp as Nigeria’s U17 girls begin preparations for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The provisional list features four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders, and eight forwards, reflecting Olowookere’s intent to build a balanced and competitive squad ahead of the global tournament.

Nigeria, bronze medallists at the 2022 edition in India, booked their ticket to Morocco after impressive qualifying victories over South Africa and Algeria.

The 2025 edition will be historic as the first-ever expanded 24-team FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, running from 17 October to 8 November across four venues: Prince Héritier Moulay El-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, Al Barid Stadium, and the Mohamed VI Football Academy.

Full List of 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), 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)

The invited players are expected to report to camp in Abuja on Sunday, 7 September, as the Flamingos set their sights on surpassing past achievements and making another strong impression on the global stage.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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