Head coach of Nigeria’s U20 girls, Christopher Musa Danjuma, has selected 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 their Tanzanian counterparts.
Goalkeeper Faith Omilana, who starred in Nigeria 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 take on the Tanzanian girls at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam from 3pm Tanzania time (1pm Nigeria time) on Sunday.
Both teams will make it a date again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Sunday, 19 November, with the winner on aggregate progressing to the third round of the race to Colombia next year.
The Confederation of African Football has picked Letticia Antonella Viana from e-Swatini as referee for the match, with her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph, Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo and Nothando Nkhumane as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Kenyan Margaret Omondi will serve as match commissioner.
For the return leg in Abuja, Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo will be referee, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1. Rachel’s compatriots Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.
Invited players
Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Shukura Bakare and Faith Omilana
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Comfort Folorunsho, Rihanat Kasali, Jumoke Alani, Shukurat Oladipo and Semilore Oladeji
Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Taiwo Afolabi, Shola Shobowale, Aminat Folorunsho and Chioma Olise.
Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye, Judith Okah, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Chisom Chima and Janet Akekoromowei