Newly-appointed Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has invited 36 players to the camp of the Nigeria under-17 women's national team camp, Soccernet.ng reports.
This is as the Flamingos begin preparations for next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup second round qualifying fixture.
The Flamingos will face the winner of the first round clash between Niger Republic and Guinea. Niger Republic are set to host the first leg of that tie this weekend, with the return leg scheduled for Conakry next weekend.
The winner of that contest will then take on Nigeria, who finished third at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. The second round first leg is billed for the weekend of 22nd to 24th May, while the Flamingos will host the return leg on Saturday, 30th May.
Busari has called up a balanced squad as he begins life in charge, following his appointment as head coach. The list includes five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and eight forwards, showing his intention to assess options across all areas of the pitch.
The new coach replaces Bankole Olowookere and now faces the task of building a competitive team capable of securing qualification for the global tournament.
Flamingos aim for another strong World Cup showing
Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, popularly known as the Flamingos, have built a strong reputation on the world stage over the years.
They have featured in nine editions of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, with their best performance coming in 2022 when they finished third to win a historic bronze medal, the country’s first at that level.
The team has regularly reached the knockout rounds and finally broke their long-standing quarter-final barrier during that memorable 2022 campaign.
Over the years, the Flamingos have recorded several notable achievements. Their 11–0 victory over Azerbaijan in 2012 remains one of the biggest wins in the history of the competition, while they also earned the FIFA Fair Play Award at the 2024 edition for their discipline and sportsmanship.
Attention now turns to this year’s tournament, which will be held in Morocco from 17th October to 7th November.
With a new coach in charge and a fresh group of players invited to camp, the Flamingos will be hoping to build on their past success and secure another place on the global stage.
Invited Flamingos list of 36
Goalkeepers: Dorathy Noel Ndaks (Nasarawa Amazons); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens); Abidemi Aiyeolowo (Remo Stars Ladies); Amarachi Atulayo (Heartland Queens); Rita Anthony (Confluence Queens)
Defenders: Sefiat Idris (Bayelsa Queens); Veronica Kefas (Plateau United Ladies); Pattra Oparanmegwa (Delta Queens); Chioma James (Imo Strikers); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo Queens); Justina Godwin (Kwara United Ladies); Kanyinsola Yusuf (FC Robo Queens); Fakoya Akinola (Ekiti Queens); Esther Enne (Unification FC); God’s-Gift Afigbediotor (Ibom Angels)
Midfielders: Shakirat Sarafa (Remo Stars Ladies); Deborah Olayiwola (Bayelsa Queens); Tosin Tiamiyu (FC Robo Queens); Fidel Pepple (Pacesetter Queens); Favour Etim (Nasarawa Amazons); Blessing Sunday (Confluence Queens); Oluwatosin Yusuf (Nasarawa Amazons); Awawu Bashiru (Confluence Queens); Endurance Omoroka (Ekiti Queens); Ogaga Adams (Delta Queens); Memunat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy); Anesthesia Akwubo (Ahudiyannem FC); Busayo Ogunlede (Goalright Academy)
Forwards: Harmony Chidi (Bayelsa Queens); Aminat Abiodun (Pacesetter Queens); Mary Dustan (Imo Strikers); Patricia Habila (Fosla Academy); Kindness Ifeanyi (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (FC Robo Queens); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Istifanus Shavih (Youth Arise FC)
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