Bankole names 21-player squad as Flamingos aim for new heights

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has unveiled his final 21-player squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with Shakirat Moshood (midfielder), Sylvia Echefu (goalkeeper), Jumai Adebayo (defender), and Queen Joseph (forward) among the key names set to represent Nigeria. The Flamingos arrived in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial hub, on Wednesday for the final […]

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has unveiled his final 21-player squad for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with Shakirat Moshood (midfielder), Sylvia Echefu (goalkeeper), Jumai Adebayo (defender), and Queen Joseph (forward) among the key names set to represent Nigeria.

The Flamingos arrived in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial hub, on Wednesday for the final phase of their preparations ahead of the tournament, which runs from October 17 to November 8.

Olowookere, who guided Nigeria to a historic bronze medal at the 2022 edition in India, believes the 2025 squad can surpass that achievement.

Also making the list are Elizabeth Boniface (goalkeeper), Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday (defenders), Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji (midfielders), as well as Chisom Nwachukwu and Mariam Yahaya (forwards).

Nigeria has been drawn in Group D, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa.

The Flamingos will open their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, at 8 p.m. (Nigerian time) at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Sale.

They will then face France three days later, also at 8 p.m., on Pitch 1 of the same venue.

Their final group-stage fixture is against Samoa on October 25, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. on Pitch 3 in Sale.

21 FLAMINGOS FOR 2025 FIFA U17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINALS

Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens)

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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)