Moshood, Joseph headline Flamingos’ squad for U-17 World Cup quest in Morocco

By Dayo Awoniyi

Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, Bankole Olowookere, has named his final 21-player squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with dynamic talents like attacking midfielder Shakirat Moshood, goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu, forward Queen Joseph, and defender Jumai Adebayo expected to lead the charge for the Flamingos in Morocco.

The team arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday to begin their final preparations for the tournament, which runs from October 17 to November 8.

Olowookere, who guided the Flamingos to a historic bronze medal at the 2022 edition in India—Nigeria’s first-ever podium finish in the competition—believes the current squad has the hunger and discipline to surpass that achievement.

“This team has shown remarkable hunger and discipline. The target is to go higher than bronze — we’re here to make history for Nigeria,” the coach said before the team’s departure.

The 21-player squad features a blend of promising debutants and players with competitive youth experience. Notable names include defenders Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday, midfielders Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji, as well as forwards Mariam Yahaya, Tabitha Terlumu, and Chisom Nwachukwu.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. The Flamingos will begin their campaign on October 19 against Canada, face France on October 22, and wrap up the group stage against Samoa on October 25. All matches will be played in the city of Salé.

With the bronze medal from 2022 serving as inspiration, Olowookere’s squad will be aiming for Nigeria’s best-ever finish at the U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria’s Final Squad – 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (Morocco)

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)

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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