Christopher Musa Danjuma, head coach of Nigeria's U20 girls, has named three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, and five forwards for next Sunday's FIFA U20 Women's World Cup second round, first-leg qualifying match against Tanzania.
Faith Omilana, who starred in Nigeria's U17 team's run to a first-ever FIFA U17 Women's World Cup bronze medal finish in India last year, is listed alongside fellow India 2022 star Taiwo Afolabi, as well as defender Comfort Folorunsho and forward Opeyemi Ajakaye, who also played key roles in India and were part of the Super Falcons' defeat of Ethiopia in a 2024 Women Olympic Football Tournament qualifying fixture last month.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists have been training in Abuja for more than two weeks and will face the Tanzanian girls on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tanzania time (1 p.m. Nigeria time) at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam.
Both teams will meet again on Sunday, November 19, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, with the aggregate winner advancing to the third round of the race to Colombia next year.
Letticia Antonella Viana of e-Swatini has been appointed as the match's referee, with her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph, Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo, and Nothando Nkhumane serving as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2, and fourth official, respectively. Margaret Omondi, a Kenyan, will serve as match commissioner.
Rachel Nzigire of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will serve as referee for the return leg in Abuja, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1. Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur, Rachel's compatriots, will serve as assistant referee 2 and fourth official, respectively, with Ghana's Christine Ziga serving as match commissioner.
Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels)
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Semilore Oladeji (Naija Ratels)
Midfielders: Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Shola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)
Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens); Judith Okah (Remo Queens); Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Chisom Chima (Bayelsa Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy).
