U20 WWCQ: Moses Aduku names 35-woman squad as Nigeria gear up for Rwanda tie

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Newly appointed head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, Moses Aduku, has named a 35-player provisional squad as the Falconets begin preparations for their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nigeria will face Rwanda in a second-round qualifier, with the first leg scheduled for Sunday, 21st September in Kigali, and the return fixture set for Saturday, 27th September at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.

The invited players are expected to report to camp in Abuja on Sunday, 10th August, with training sessions commencing the following day.

Nigeria’s Falconets have qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inception and will aim to maintain that record under new leadership.

Nigeria Full Squad:

Goalkeepers:
GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels), Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels), Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens), Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)

Defenders:
Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons), Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels), Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens), Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels), Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons), Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels), Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons), Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers), Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens), Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels), Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens)

Midfielders:
Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels), Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens), Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons), Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies), Esther Inyang (Edo Queens), Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens), Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens), Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons), Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels)

Forwards:
Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens), Mary Nkpa (Bayelsa Queens), Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens), Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens), Esther Moses (Edo Queens), Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels), Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels), Alaba Olabiyi (Bayelsa Queens), Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons), Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens), Daniella Fagbenro (Remo Stars Ladies)

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career 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.

See Full Bio