Olowookere picks 25 players for U-17 World Cup qualifier

Head coach of the National U-17 women’s team, Bankole Olowookere, has chosen 25 players for preparations ahead of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso.

Nigeria will meet Burkina Faso in a two-legged qualifier next month, with the first slated for Ouagadougou. Among the players chosen for the matches are four goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards.

Olowookere, who led the Flamingos to a first-ever World Cup bronze medal finish in India last year, saw the girls fire on all cylinders in a 12-0 rout of their counterparts from Central African Republic over two legs in Douala and Abuja in the second round of the African qualifying series in February.
Harmony Chidi, who scored five of the 12 goals, as well as Ramota Kareem and Shakirat Moshood, who netted a brace each in the 12-goal haul, are among the 25 players invited for the new assignment.

The first leg of this third-round fixture will hold at the Stade 4 August in Ouagadougou on May 12, with the return leg at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on May 18.

The goalkeepers in the squad are Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Kwara Ladies); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens) and Favour Edward (Naija Ratels), while the defenders are Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies);Oluwatoyin Olowookere (Ekiti Queens); Rokibat Azeez (Royal Queens); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies) and Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens).

The midfielders in the team are Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels); Farida Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports) and Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy), while Edidiong Etim (Bayelsa Queens); Yetunde Ayantosho (Heartland Queens); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramota Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aisha Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels) will fight for slots in the team’s attack.