By George Mercy
A Few days ago, the squad list of the Nigeria U17 Women’s team for the 2022 World Cup in India was announced.
All the players selected were only Toddlers when the squad list for the inaugural FIFA U17 World Cup was announced in 2008, but fast forward 14 years later, a new generation of Flamingos are ready to take the world and see their dreams of representing the country come to pass.
Nigeria will be making her sixth appearance in the forthcoming World Cup, and will be representing Africa alongside debutants Morocco and Tanzania.
The Flamingos scored a total 15 goals and conceded none in the six games played in the qualifying stages, having cruised past Congo DR (8-0 agg), Egypt (6-00 agg) and Ethiopia (1-0 agg).
Unlike their fellow African representatives who will be making their World cup debuts, the Flamingos have taken part in all but one of the U17 finals in the previous editions, and having reached the Quarterfinal stage three times in the past, they will be looking to do better this time.
For most of these players, this is a dream come through, a chance to shine and make name for themselves like some of their predecessors.
An absolute honour, pride to make the Flamingos🦩🇳🇬squad going to the @FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in India 🇮🇳.
I've always dreamt about playing in a major tournament for my country 🇳🇬. I promise to put in my best always👍. #SoarFlamingos🦩#FIFAU17WWC#OVIS12 pic.twitter.com/edDU61ntwt
— Blessing Sunday🇳🇬 (@SundayB28999554) September 26, 2022
I am so excited to lead the Nigerian 🇳🇬 squad to the 2022 @FIFAWWC U-17 World Cup coming up in India 🇮🇳 next month. I believe in the ability of my team mates and know we can achieve success when the competition kicks off. pic.twitter.com/82K9bMeXMm
— Dah Zossu Alvine (@Alvine_Dah) September 24, 2022
Despite having a number of prospects in the squad, one player to watch out for in the coming tournament is Opeyemi Ajakaye. The prolific striker scored in all but one of the games in the qualifying stage, and got six goals.
The tournament kicks off 11th October with the Flamingos taking on Germany in Group B.