WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Waldrum on why Ireland will present a new challenge for Super Falcons
With the clock ticking down to the kick-off of Nigeria’s last Group B match against eliminated Republic of Ireland in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s coach, Randy Waldrum has been speaking on the match.
“This game is a little bit different for us. Coming from the US, I knew Canada very well and have even coached quite a few of those players over the years. I knew how they were going to play and making the game plan was a little easier. We scouted Australia for a while and knew what their strengths were.
“Ireland have done extremely well in this tournament. Even though they are eliminated, they played two very good matches and were probably a little bit unlucky not to get a result against Canada.
“They are a top-20 team [in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking] and we’re 40th. A lot of people may go into the match thinking, ‘You’ve got those results against Canada and Australia, so this should be an easier game’.
“It’s really quite the opposite because Ireland played those first two teams a certain way –they had to defend a lot and pick their chances to counter. I have a feeling they are going to be much more offensive against us because there’s nothing to lose for them now. So, I don’t know if I can prepare [Nigeria’s strategy] from what I’ve seen in their first
On what he wants to see from Nigeria in the game and Ireland’s main threats…
“I hope it’s a match where we continue to grow our confidence. I thought we were better in the second match [against Australia] in controlling more parts of the game. I would hope we would have more of the ball in this match and we can attack a little more than we have in the first two games.
“Ireland are also very good on the counter, though. They are good in wide areas and like to get the ball in the box from there or win corners. They have a couple of special players.
“I think Katie McCabe is fantastic and Denise O’Sullivan played for me at Houston Dash. I know her well and she’s a very good player.”
On his team’s approach knowing a draw will be enough to qualify…
“We’re looking for a win as that could see us finish top of the table. I know the 1999 team were very successful [Nigeria reached the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals at that tournament] and we’ve got out of the group stage twice in our history, but I don’t know that any team has had this kind of competition in the group before.
“It would be unprecedented to win the group, so three points would be great. But honestly, I’d be quite happy to get one and advance. It’s just such a difficult group with three tough teams. I’ll take a draw if that’s the result we get. ”
On what it would mean to progress to the last 16…
“We’ve worked really hard to get to this point. We have to be professional enough to see it through.
“As a coach, I know there are no guarantees. Before the tournament, I’m not sure I could honestly have said I thought we’d be at the top of the group at this stage. I always felt we’d have the talent to advance out of the group but they’ve even exceeded my expectations. Now we’re here, we have to do what good teams do – we have to learn to finish the job.”
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.”
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
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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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.
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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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Flamingos Set for Morocco 2025 as Nigeria’s U-17s Depart Abuja for Final World Cup Preparations
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.
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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