Harmony Chidi captains a squad drawn from clubs across Nigeria as the Flamingos prepare for a tough Group B in Rabat, starting against Poland on October 17.
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Busari’s final 21
Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has named a 21-player squad for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Harmony Chidi of Bayelsa Queens will captain the side. FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports that the Nigerian delegation is due to leave for Morocco on Wednesday, October 7.
Elizabeth Adesuyi and Esther Stephen lead the defenders, while Mary Dustan and Favour Nkwocha anchor the midfield. Tosin Rafiu, Queen Joseph, Precious Oscar and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are among the forwards.
Nigeria are in Group B with Poland, Puerto Rico and North Korea. The Flamingos open against Poland on October 17, meet Puerto Rico on October 20 and finish against North Korea on October 23.
The road to Morocco
Nigeria booked their place by beating Benin Republic in the final qualifying round. It is the country’s ninth appearance at the tournament.
The Flamingos also warmed up by thrashing Togo to win the WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup. Readers who follow football betting alongside the women’s game can read what is the Bet9ja promotion code before placing a wager.
A hard group for Busari’s side
North Korea are the defending champions, which makes the final group game the obvious headline. Still, the Flamingos will want to take points off Poland and Puerto Rico first, because that is where qualification is most likely to be settled.
Puerto Rico are making their U-17 Women’s World Cup debut, along with Argentina. Poland, meanwhile, have invested heavily in women’s football development in recent years. Neither side should be taken lightly.
Anyone tracking the tournament can check Bet9ja’s current promo code before the group stage begins on October 17.
The full squad
Goalkeepers: Jane Ijirigho (Nasarawa Amazons), Mercy Felix (Obosa FA), Onyinyechi Opara (Delta Queens).
Defenders: Elizabeth Adesuyi (Pacesetter Queens), Esther Stephen (Unification Ladies), Chidera Oparanmegwa (Delta Queens), Azeezat Oduntan (Robo Queens), Opeyemi Sunday (Nasarawa Amazons), Rodiat Yusuf (Robo Queens), Kaosarat Akanji (Dreamstar Ladies).
Midfielders: Awawu Bashiru (Confluence Queens), Mary Dustan (Imo Strikers), Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy), Favour Nkwocha (Robo Queens), Shakirat Tobiloba (Remo Stars Ladies).
Forwards: Tosin Rafiu (Robo Queens), Harmony Chidi (Bayelsa Queens), Oluebube Umejiaku (Heartland Queens), Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy), Precious Oscar (Edo Queens), Oluwakemi Adegbuyi (Robo Queens).
Busari has until October 17 to settle his starting XI against Poland. Anyone planning to follow the tournament with a flutter can look at the Bet9ja sign-up offer before kick-off.
📌 Did You Know?
- The 2026 tournament runs from October 17 to November 7, with all matches played in Rabat.
- This is the tenth edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, and 24 teams are in the field for the second year running.
- Africa has five representatives in Morocco: the hosts, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.
- Zambia are playing at a third consecutive U-17 Women’s World Cup.
- Robo Queens supply five of the 21 Flamingos, more than any other club.
- The Flamingos’ WAFU B campaign was staged in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, and began against Niger Republic.
