FIFA U17 Women World Cup Bronze-winning Coach Bankole Olowookere has released the final squad of the Nigerian U17 team featuring Nigeran Next-Gen Stars.
Bankole listed captain Taiwo Afolabi and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong in his 21-woman Flamingos’ roster for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic.
Sports Intel unveils the Next breakout stars expected from the Flamingos.
Nigerian Next-Gen Stars: Harmony Chidi
Nigeria’s goal machine, Chidi Harmony first burst onto the scene in 2023 scoring 14 goals in 6 matches at the Ifeanyi Chiejine Memorial Cup (ICMC).
For Coach Bankole, Harmony is a direct replacement for Ajakaiye, the leading scorer from the last squad.
The clinical Chidi scored 13 of the team’s record-setting 25 goals in the qualifying series, as the bronze medallists from the last edition of the championship in India stormed their way past the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Liberia in the continental campaign.
Furthermore, Chidi’s goals comprise five against the Central Africa Republic, four against Burkina Faso, and three in the 6-1 aggregate win against Liberia.
Since her breakthrough year, Chidi Harmony has remained a top talent on the local scene with Imo Strikers.
Peace Effiong
During the NWFL mid-season break, Rivers Angels’ head coach scouted a young star, who would take the league by storm from Young Talent 99 in Lagos.
The 14-year-old girl soon debuted in the top-flight league on February 15th, 2023 against FC Robo in Port Harcourt and turned to pure gold that will capture the world’s attention.
Meanwhile, the U17 World Cup provides a platform for the Next-Gen star to draw attention to her talent.
Alongside Harmony, Peace Effiong forms the deadly attacking duo for Nigeria.
Captain Taiwo Afolabi
The petite midfielder, captain, and leader Taiwo Afolabi will lead the midfield as she returns to the U17 World Cup.
Last time out Afolabi and the team won a bronze medal, and hopes to do better in Dominican Republic.
Alongside Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood, and Ayomide Rotimi, Afolabi will guide the team.
Kudirat Funke Arogundade
Greenfoot star, Kudirat Arogundade is a striker that further elevates the goalscoring prowess of the team.
She might struggle to get game time but she has the natural ability to come from the bench and provide goals.
Nigerian Next-Gen Stars: Shakirat Moshood
Another Nigerian Next-Gen Star, Shakira Moshood offers another attacking inlet from the midfield alongside the team’s captain, Afolabi.
She scored a hat-trick against Central Africa Republic in the qualifiers and the Flamingos won 6-0 in Abuja.
The Bayelsa Queens midfielder offers extra attacking and creative cover for the Bankole Olowookere team.
Nigeria will compete in Group A of the 16-nation finals alongside the host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.
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).
FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024
Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria
B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia
C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England
D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia