The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially released a list of 36 invited players for the national U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, as they gear up for the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying series. This developmental squad represents the first major selection under the leadership of newly installed head coach Akeem Busari, who is tasked with guiding the team through the second-round fixtures of the Morocco 2026 qualification pathway.
Busari’s comprehensive selection features a balanced blend of talent across all departments, comprising five goalkeepers, 10 specialized defenders, 13 midfielders, and an eight-player attacking contingent. The squad is preparing to face the victor of the preliminary round clash between Niger Republic and Guinea, with the technical crew closely monitoring the outcome of that regional rivalry.
The initial qualifying phase sees Niger Republic hosting the first leg this weekend, followed by a decisive return leg in Conakry seven days later. The nation that emerges triumphant from this aggregate battle will secure a date with the Flamingos in the second round.
Per the current schedule, Nigeria will travel for the away leg of the second-round tie between May 22 and 24. Following the continental trip, the Flamingos are slated to host the return leg on May 30, where they will look to leverage home advantage to secure progress toward the global showpiece in Morocco. Training camp is expected to commence immediately as the NFF intensifies its support for the youth women’s program.
