2026 FIFA U-17WWC: Busari Sticks With Winning Team As Flamingos Go On Offensive Against Mexico In Crucial Mexico Clash

From Harry Awurumibe, Live in Morocco

In line with the age-long held view of not changing a winning team, Nigeria’s Flamingos head coach, Busari Hakeem Ishola has retained the line-up that beat defending champions North Korea 3-1 last week in the last Group B match of the on-going 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to also defeat Mexico in the Round of 16 clash today at Pitch 2 of Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat by 3 pm local time.

Prompt News reports that Busari has kept faith with fleet-footed forward Oluebube Umejiaku who replaced the hugely ineffective team captain Harmony Chidera Chidi from the startlist in the 3-1 defeat of North Korea last Friday following her impressive performance which was crowned with a goal.

Also, the Flamingos gaffer retained the 10 other players who started the in the victory over North Korea with reliable goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho between the sticks and will be shielded by Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen Rodiat Yusuf and Azeezat Oduntan who will again captain the Flamingos in the absence of Chidi.

Favour Nkwocha, Tosin Rafiu and Mary Dunstan retained their places in the midfield while Umejiaku has joined very efficient Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Queen Joseph in the attack.

Meanwhile, should Nigeria defeat Mexico today, the Flamingos will face Venezuela in the quarter-finals stage on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

NIGERIA U-17 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM STARTLIST VS MEXICO:

1. JANE IJIRIGHO- G/K
2.AZEEZAT ODUNTAN -C
3.OHUNENE SUNDAY
4.ESTHER STEPHEN
5.RODIAT YUSUF
6.FAVOUR NKWOCHA
7.TOSIN RAFIU
8. MARY DUNSTAN
9 .QUEEN JOSEPH
10 .OLUWAKEMI ADEGBUYI
11.OLUEBUBE UMEJIAKU

SUBSTITUTE S:
1.CHIDERA HARMONY CHIDI
2.AYOMIDE ROTIMI
3.PRESCIOUS OSCAR
4. MERCY FELIX
( G/K )
5.AKANJI KAOSARAT
6.ONYINYECHI OPARA JACKLIN
( G/K )
7.SAKIRAT SARAFA
8.PATTRA OPARANMEGWA                                                                                                                                                                   9.AWAWU BASHIRU                                                                                                                                                              10.ELIZABETH ADESUYI.