Afolabi, Chidi, Effiong, 18 others make final list

Captain Taiwo Afolabi, Harmony Chidi, and Peace Effiong are among the 21 players listed by Flamingos’ Head Coach, Bankole Olowookere, for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic.

Chidi, a clinical forward, scored 13 of the team’s record-setting 25 goals in the qualifying series, as the bronze medallists from the last edition of the championship in India barnstormed their way past the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Liberia in the continental campaign.
 
Petite midfielder Afolabi will lead the midfield, alongside Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood, and Ayomide Rotimi, while first-choice goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma will have Sylvia Echefu and Elizabeth Boniface pushing her to her best all the time. Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders, with Chidi leading six other forwards, including Peace Effiong.

Nigeria will compete in Group A of the 16-nation finals alongside host nations Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand.
 
In Group B are Spain, the USA, the Korean Republic, and Colombia, while Group C comprises Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, and England, with Japan, Poland, Brazil, and Zambia battling for survival in the preliminary round in Group D.
 
The Flamingos’ delegation will depart Nigeria aboard a Turkish Airlines flight today for a two-week training tour in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic, ahead of the commencement of the tournament.
 
In the full list of players selected for the championship are goalkeepers Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens), and Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens). The defenders are Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New