FIFA names Flamingos duo as likely returnees for 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Ahead of this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, the Federation of International Football Association has named some top players who could return to the tournament after featuring at the last edition in Dominican Republic.

Nigeria’s duo of Shakirat Moshood and Aminat Animashaun made the list.

Rivers Peace Effiong also made the honorable mention list.

Nigerian forward, Moshood emerged as one of the surprise packages at Dominican Republic 2024.

Scoring four goals, the young forward finished just one behind Pau Comendador, recipient of the adidas Golden Boot after the final.

Having celebrated her 17th birthday on 4 January, Moshood will be expected to shine again in 2025.

Nigeria’s double-header against South Africa in March, in the third round of CAF qualifiers, promises to give her a chance to showcase her skills.

Most of the Nigerian players in the Dominican Republic were born after 2007, as is the case with the scintillating Animashaun.

Donning the number 11 shirt, and a self-confessed Lauren James fan, she made life difficult for many opposing defenders in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately for Nigeria, the United States of America (USA) proved too strong in the quarter-finals (2-0).

Nonetheless, the player who “would rather assist than score” will be back if the Flamingoes, currently still in the running in the qualifiers, make it to Morocco.