Flamingos Face Niger in Opening Test as Busari Names 20-Player Squad Ahead of Morocco World Cup

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will begin their tournament campaign against Niger Republic on Wednesday after the withdrawal of Benin Republic forced a change to the original schedule.

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Sports247 reports that the Head coach Akeem Busari has named a 20-player squad for the tournament, which will provide the young Nigerians with valuable competitive preparation ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos were initially expected to open their campaign against Benin Republic, but Nigeria will now face Niger Republic in their first fixture. Attention will then turn to Saturday, when the Nigerian youngsters are scheduled to face West African rivals Ghana in one of the tournament’s most anticipated encounters.

Busari has selected a balanced squad comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and five forwards, with players drawn from established Nigerian women’s clubs and promising academies.

FLAMINGOS SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Onyinyechi Opara — Delta Queens

Ifesinachi Iloh — Solo Wonders Academy

Mercy Felix — Obosa Academy

Defenders

Opeyemi Sunday — Nasarawa Amazons

Azeezat Oduntan — FC Robo Queens

Esther Stephen — Unification Ladies

Elizabeth Adesuyi — Pacesetter Queens

Chidera Oparanmegwa — Bayelsa Queens

Temitope Ogunbunmi — Soccer Talent FC

Chisom Chukwuemeka — Diamond Stars Academy

Midfielders

Muinat Rotimi — Nakamura Academy

Mary Dunstan — Bayelsa Queens

Adeola Bashiru — Confluence Queens

Kaosarat Akanji — Dream Star Ladies

Ebunoluwa Akinola — Unstoppable Academy

Forwards

Harmony Chidi — Bayelsa Queens

Oluebube Umejiaku — Heartland Queens

Sakirat Sarafa — Remo Stars Ladies

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi — Edo Queens

Destiny Itobore — Delta Queens

The tournament offers Busari and his technical crew an important opportunity to assess the players under competitive conditions while working on the tactical structure of the team.

With the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco approaching, the Flamingos will be looking to use every available fixture to sharpen their preparations and build confidence.

Their opening encounter against Niger Republic on Wednesday will provide the first major test, before the team faces Ghana on Saturday in a fixture expected to attract significant attention across the region.