Christopher Musa Danjuma, the head coach of Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, has announced a squad of 25 players comprising three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, and five forwards for the upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second-round, first-leg qualifying match against Tanzania.
Among the notable players selected are goalkeeper Faith Omilana, who played a crucial role in Nigeria U17 team’s historic bronze medal finish at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India last year. Also included are India 2022 star Taiwo Afolabi, defender Comfort Folorunsho, and forward Opeyemi Ajakaye, all of whom contributed to the Super Falcons’ victory over Ethiopia in a 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament qualifying fixture last month.
The selected players for the U20 Women’s World Cup are expected to commence training camp in the Federal Capital, Abuja, starting on Wednesday, December 27.
Having advanced to the third round of the qualification series due to the withdrawal of Mauritius, the Falconets secured a 3-2 aggregate victory over Tanzania in the second round last month. This sets up a clash with Tanzania, which eliminated the U20 girls of South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The first leg of the fixture is scheduled to be hosted by Burundi in Bujumbura within the weekend of January 12th–14th, with the return leg to take place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Saturday, January 20th.
The winner of this encounter will progress to the final round of the qualification series, with matches set to be played in March 2024.
Nigeria’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Team
Goalkeepers: Kehinde Afuye (FC Robo Queens); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels); Anderlin Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Shukurat Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Oluwabunmi Semilore (Naija Ratels); Oluchi Ohaegbulam (Nasarawa Amazons); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Emamuzo Edafe (Rivers Angels); Rebecca Adegbemile (Delta Queens)
Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Shukurat Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)
Forwards: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Aminat Bello (Unattached); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens); Chiamaka Osuigwe (Edo Queens); Chisom Chima (Bayelsa Queens); Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy); Oluwayemisi Samuel (Bayelsa Queens)