FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup: Nikyu picks Ihezuo, 20 others to challenge for glory

 
The Head Coach of the U-17 Women National Team, Bala Nikyu has picked
Azerbaijan 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup silver boot winner,
Chiwendu Ihezuo and 20 other players to represent Nigeria at this
year's finals starting in Costa Rica on Saturday.
 
There are also Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu, Uchenna Kanu, Ugochi
Emenayo, Mary Ologbosere, Patience Dike and Tessy Biahwo.
 
Ihezuo, who will captain the squad as Nigeria searches for a
first-ever triumph in the cadet competition that was inaugurated in
New Zealand in 2008, scored six goals at the last tournament in
Azerbaijan to finish second top-scorer, behind North Korea's Ri
Un-Sim.
 
Just as happened in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010, when Korea Republic,
which eliminated Nigeria after a pulsating quarter final match that
went into extra time, went ahead to lift the trophy, France won the
trophy in Azerbaijan two years ago after defeating Nigeria on
penalties in the quarter finals.
 
However, Coach Nikyu is confident his girls have prepared well enough
to go all the way, after a 19-day final training camp in Faro,
Portugal that saw the team win all friendly matches bar one - the 0-0
draw with Belgium's U-17 Women National Team in Brussels on March 4.
 
Ihezuo scored five goals when the Flamingoes humiliated hosts
Azerbaijan 11-0 in a group phase match in 2012.
 
The Nigerian girls flew out of Frankfurt, Germany on Wednesday to
arrive in San Jose, capital city of Costa Rica, on Thursday morning.
They play their first match against China on Sunday, with other group
phase games against Colombia and Mexico to follow on March 19 and 23
respectively.
 
FULL LIST
 
 Joy Bokiri, Aminat Yakubu, Uchenna Kanu, Rasheedat Ajibade, Fubiana
Briggs, Ugochi Emenayo, Ihuoma Onyebuchi, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Onyinye
Okeke, Tessy Biahwo, Ayomide Anibaba, Joy Duru, Cynthia Aku, Mary
Ologbosere, Faith Alex, Olubunmi Elijah, Vivian Ikechukwu, Augustar
Mene, Patience Dike, Mercy Vincent, Desire Ijeh.