Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have arrived in Morocco ahead of their campaign at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Nigerian contingent landed at the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca on Wednesday morning, October 7, as the team entered the final stage of preparations for the global tournament.
The arrival comes less than two weeks before Nigeria’s opening Group B fixture against Poland on October 17.
Head coach Akeem Busari will lead a 21-player squad into the competition, with captain Harmony Chidi among the players expected to play important roles as Nigeria attempt to make another strong impression on the world stage.
The squad features three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six forwards.
Goalkeepers Jane Ijirigho, Mercy Felix and Onyinyechi Opara will provide the options between the posts, while Elizabeth Adesuyi, Esther Stephen, Chidera Oparanmegwa, Azeezat Oduntan, Opeyemi Sunday, Rodiat Yusuf and Kaosarat Akanji make up the defensive group.
In midfield, Busari has Awawu Bashiru, Mary Dustan, Muinat Rotimi, Favour Nkwocha and Shakirat Tobiloba at his disposal.
The attacking options include Tosin Rafiu, captain Harmony Chidi, Oluebube Umejiaku, Queen Joseph, Precious Oscar and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.
Nigeria secured qualification for the tournament after overcoming Benin Republic in the final round of the African qualifying campaign.
The Flamingos subsequently strengthened their preparations by winning the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup. They completed their regional campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Togo in the final, giving the team additional momentum heading into the World Cup.
Now in Morocco, the priority will shift from qualification and regional success to adapting to the conditions and preparing for three demanding group-stage matches.
Nigeria will face Poland in their opening game on October 17 before taking on Puerto Rico three days later. Their final Group B fixture will be against Korea DPR on October 23.
The tournament itself will feature 24 teams and will run from October 17 to November 7. Morocco is hosting the competition, with the tournament using a centralised format that allows supporters to watch multiple matches at the designated venues.
For Nigeria, the Flamingos carry considerable expectations.
The country has remained a regular presence at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2008, missing only the 2018 edition. Nigeria has also developed a strong record in the tournament, making the Flamingos one of the teams African football supporters traditionally watch closely.
The latest generation now has an opportunity to create its own story.
With the players settled in Morocco, Busari and his technical crew can concentrate fully on the final details, including tactical organisation, player fitness and understanding the strengths of their three group opponents.
The opening match against Poland will provide the first real test of Nigeria’s readiness.
A strong start could put the Flamingos in an excellent position to progress from the group, but the team will know that the World Cup presents a different level of competition from the regional tournament they won recently.
For the young Nigerian players, the coming weeks will therefore be about more than simply winning matches. They will be an opportunity to announce themselves on the international stage and demonstrate the quality of Nigeria’s next generation of female footballers.
With Morocco now their temporary home, the Flamingos have begun the final journey towards what they hope will be another memorable chapter in Nigerian women’s football.
