FULL LIST: Afolabi, Chidi named in Flamingos’ squad for U-17 World Cup

Bankole Olowookere, head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos, has unveiled a squad list of 21 players for the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

According to the list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday, the gaffer kept faith in the skeleton of the team that scored a record-setting 25 goals in the competition’s qualifiers.

Flamingos steamrolled the Central African Republic 12-0 in the second round of the qualifiers before beating Burkina Faso 7-1 in the following round. The team then outclassed Liberia 6-1 in the final round of the qualifiers.

Taiwo Afolabi, the team captain, will compete in her second consecutive teenage World Cup alongside Harmony Chidi.

Chidi was the highest goalscorer of the qualification campaign, scoring 13 goals across six games.

The striker will lead six others in the attacking department, including Peace Effiong.

Christiana Uzoma, the first-choice goalkeeper, will always have Sylvia Echefu and Elizabeth Boniface pushing her to her best, and Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders.

The Flamingos are in Group A of the 16-team tournament, alongside Ecuador, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic—the hosts.

On Tuesday, the Flamingos will depart Nigeria for Santa Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, aboard a Turkish Airlines flight for a two-week training tour ahead of the tournament’s commencement.

FULL LIST OF FLAMINGOS’ SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens)

Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy)

Forwards: Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)

GROUPS AT 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria

Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia

Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England

Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia