Head coach of Nigeria women’s Under 17 team Bankole Olowookere says his side will aspire to go higher than their third place finish in 2022 when they compete in this year’s edition starting on Wednesday, reports www.aclsports.com
The Flamingos, as the Nigerian maidens are nicknamed will face New Zealand in the tournament’s opening game on Wednesday night (Nigerian time) and Olowookere, who takes charge of the team for a second successive tournament is upbeat about their chances.
“I have confidence in the girls to deliver the goods at this competition and go higher for Nigeria. We have come well-prepared to do even better than we did in India,” Olowookere told the NFF website on Tuesday night.
He continued: “The Nigeria Football Federation have done everything to prepare the team well, with a two-week final camping here in Dominican Republic.
“We do not under-rate any of our opponents. However, we will take it one match at a time and produce our best in each game in order to go all the way.”
Nigeria who have attended all but one of all the U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup editions have been placed in Group A alongside host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Wednesday’s opponents New Zealand who they also defeated in the last edition.
In their bid to go higher than the unprecedented height last time out, Nigeria have named a strong squad captained by Taiwo Afolabi, a revelation at the last tournament in India. Highly rated young attackers Peace Effiong and Harmony Chidi will also carry the burden of the team’s goalscoring responsibilities.
Wednesday’s game against New Zealand scheduled for the Cibao FC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros will kick-off at 4pm local time, 9pm in Nigeria. The Flamingos will then face Ecuador at the same Stadium on Saturday, October 19 before rounding off their group schedule with a clash with hosts Dominican Republic on Tuesday, October 22.
NIGERIA U17 SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Christianah 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)
Attackers
Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports)
Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers)
Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot)
Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers)
Aishat Animasahun (Naija Ratels)
Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels)
Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens)
