WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup: Olowookere picks Moshood, Chidi, Effiong, 17 others for tourney

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has selected FIFA World Cup scorers Shakirat Moshood and Harmony Chidi among a list of 20 players of the Nigeria U17 girls, Flamingos, for the WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup starting on Thursday.

There are also goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Taiwo Adegoke and Ayomide Ibrahim, midfielder Faridat Abdulwahab, and forwards Peace Effiong and Mary Lucky Nkpa. 

The Flamingos are in group B of the two-week competition, alongside the U17 girls of Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire, while hosts Ghana will play Benin Republic in group A, following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso. Togo had earlier withdrawn from the tournament.

Nigeria’s U17 girls reached the quarter-finals of the recent FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic, scoring nine goals in the group phase, before they were defeated by the United States of America in the Round of 8. 

20 FLAMINGOS FOR GHANA 2024 

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

Defenders: Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo Naija Ratels); Ayomide Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Prisca Nwachukwu (Heartland Queens); Oluwatoyin Olowookere (Ekiti Queens); Oghenemairo Obruthe (Lagos City)

Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy); Farida Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons)  

Forwards: Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Mary Nkpa (Abia Angels); Aisha Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens); Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Nasarawa Amazons) 

FIFA Talent Development Scheme: Future Eagles head to Morocco for two friendly matches

Players and officials of the Nigeria’s U15 Boys, Future Eagles, will depart the country in the early hours of Wednesday, 11^th December for Morocco, where the team is scheduled to face their Moroccan counterparts in two international friendly games.

This will be the team's first international experience since the inception of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in the country. 

Head of delegation, Mr. Nasiru Jibril said playing Morocco is a deliberate attempt and a pragmatic way of equipping the young, talented players discovered in the country through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme. He noted that exposing the players to best facilities and playing internationally will further shape the country's awakening with regards to the impending annual AFCON U17 and annual FIFA U17 tournaments. 

"With the introduction of the annual U17 AFCON and FIFA World Cup, it is going to be really difficult if we don't have such programs going for us. I think the FIFA Talent Development Scheme has come at the right time, and is helpful to Nigeria football. Morocco is the place to which we have the most access, in terms of an organized place where we can go to, and people who already have the same kind of project we have running. Therefore, it is easier and better for us to go and play their own team because they have a team similar to our own." 

A delegation of 22 players and 6 officials, with Coach Patrick Bassey at the head of the coaching crew, will make the trip. The two matches have been scheduled for the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football on the 12^th and 15^th December, with kick-off time of 5pm local time on both days. 

22 FUTURE EAGLES FOR MOROCCO 

Goalkeepers: Isaac Tomiwa (Mees Palace); Johnson Amaagudi (Ajarah FA); Somtochukwu Ibe (Adoration FC) 

Defenders: Nicodemus Gideon (Relentless FA); Raphael Umah (Udi Stars FA); Luka Ephraim (Sporting Lagos); Muhammad Shamsudeen (Mavlon FC); Samuel Yusuf (Stormer FA) 

Midfielders: Praise Averwosou (Morak FC); Uwem Bassey (2S Academy); Farwas Adeleke (Lanreleke FA); Raheem Salaudeen (Buruj FC); Kunle Tokodez(White Caps FC, Canada); Ighodaro Dominion (Bendel Insurance Youth Team); Obasahon Emmanuel (Dynamo FA)   

Forwards: Samuel Essien (PSports FA); Abubakar Abdulrazaq (Simon Ben FA); Ogar Timothy (Mavlon FC); Yusuf Saminu (Kano Pillars U15); Ebube Oyari (Sensational FA); Sha’Aban Musa (School Sports); Yusuf Auwal (Peace FA)