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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Women’s World Cup: Nigeria face acid test against Olympic champions Canada in opener

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In a few hours time, the Super Falcons of Nigeria will face their toughest test yet at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they take on Olympic gold medalists Canada in their opening group match on Friday.

The contest at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium represents a chance for the African heavyweights to make a statement against one of the pre-tournament favorites.

Arriving in Australia on the back of a fourth-place finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations last year, the Super Falcons are eager to show they can match it with the world’s elite.

Much will depend on captain Asisat Oshoala rediscovering her best form. The reigning CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year is a prolific striker capable of unlocking any defence on her day.

The Barcelona superstar will be looking to outfox centre-backs Kadeisha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles, pillars of a stout Canadian backline.

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“When you have Oshoala, you have a chance against any team,” Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum said ahead of Friday’s match.

“Canada are the Olympics Gold medalists and we know they are going to be very good. We played them twice the last year and have a lot of respect for them.

“They are a very good side, very well coached, but I think we can have the ability to be successful if we perform and stick to our gameplan.

“Obviously, the weather in Melbourne is going to be a little bit of a factor, it’s colder than we’re used to, but it’s a 12:30 kick-off, so that should help a little bit.

In midfield, Rita Chikwelu’s combativeness and distribution will be key if Nigeria is to disrupt Canada’s rhythm and supply Oshoala up front.

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-CAF

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Olowookere Names 21-Player Squad for FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco

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Nigeria’s Under-21 women’s team Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has unveiled a final squad of 21 players that will represent Nigeria at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November.

The list features a blend of exciting new talents and returning performers, including attacking midfielder Shakirat Moshood, goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu, defender Jumai Adebayo, and forward Queen Joseph.

The Flamingos, who arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday for the final phase of preparations, are aiming to surpass their historic bronze-medal finish at the last edition of the tournament in India (2022).

Olowookere, who guided that 2022 squad to third place — Nigeria’s best-ever finish at the competition — expressed confidence that the current team has what it takes to go even further this time around.

“This group has shown great commitment and hunger,” he said. “Our goal is to build on the achievements of 2022 and challenge for the ultimate prize in Morocco.”

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Also named in the final roster are goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface, defenders Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday, midfielders Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji, and forwards Chisom Nwachukwu and Mariam Yahaya.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group D, where they will face Canada, France, and Samoa. The Flamingos will open their campaign against Canada on Sunday, 19 October, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. (Nigerian time) at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Sale.

Three days later, they will tackle France at the same kickoff time on Pitch 1, before wrapping up their group stage fixtures against Samoa on 25 October at 5 p.m. on Pitch 3 of the same venue.

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 will feature 16 teams competing across multiple cities, as the tournament returns to Africa for the first time in its history.

21 FLAMINGOS FOR 2025 FIFA U17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINALS

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Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens)

Defenders: Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo (Rivers Angels); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo); Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers); Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99); Fatimoh Shuaib (Nasarawa Amazons)

Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy); Zainab Raji (Dannaz FC); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC)

Forwards: Kaosarat Olanrewaju (Ayishat Yusuf Academy, Lagos); Mariam Yahaya (FC Robo); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo); Precious Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels)

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Nigeria’s Flamingos settle down in Casablanca for FIFA U17 tourney

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The Flamingos on arrival in Casablanca on Wednesday morning

The Nigeria U17 Women’s National Team, Flamingos, arrived safely in Morocco on Wednesday, ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The team departed Abuja early Wednesday morning at 7:18 a.m. aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight and landed in Casablanca at 11:28 a.m. Nigeria time.

On arrival at the Mohammed V International Airport, the girls were greeted with an unexpected but inspiring moment as they ran into former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, who was en route to France.

The ex-international took a few moments to speak with the players, urging them to stay disciplined, focused, and to represent Nigeria with pride and unity at the global showpiece. His words were met with smiles and applause from both players and officials.

The Flamingos have since settled into their base at the Ibis Hotel in Casablanca, where they will spend the next few days fine-tuning their preparations before heading to Rabat for the tournament proper.

The team’s spirit was high upon arrival, with several players expressing excitement at the opportunity to don Nigeria’s colors on the world stage once again.

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The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists held a light training session on Wednesday evening to help the players recover from jet-lag and get used to the Moroccan weather conditions. The session focused primarily on recovery, ball movement, and coordination drills.

Nigeria is drawn in Group D of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa, with their opening match scheduled for Sunday, October 19. The Flamingos head into the tournament full of confidence, having played ten preparatory matches, scoring 44 goals without conceding.

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Flamingos Set for Morocco 2025 as Nigeria’s U-17s Depart Abuja for Final World Cup Preparations

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin the final leg of preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Morocco.

The team will travel aboard Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic hub, where they will set up camp ahead of the tournament.

During their stay in Casablanca, the Flamingos will step up their build-up programme with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, and then Paraguay on October 14.

Following their training camp, the team will move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, joining other participating nations as the countdown begins to the global showpiece.

Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in what promises to be a competitive group. The Flamingos will begin their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before locking horns with France three days later.

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Both matches will be played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Nigerian time. Their final group match comes against Samoa on October 25, starting at 5 p.m., also in Sale.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament brimming with confidence after a remarkable build-up.

The Flamingos have played 10 tune-up games, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any, a record that highlights their attacking prowess and defensive discipline.

Olowookere has expressed optimism about his team’s readiness, noting that the squad’s balance and form give them belief they can surpass their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.

With a perfect preparation run and growing momentum, the Flamingos will be aiming to make history in Morocco and bring pride to Nigerian women’s football once again.

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