Nigeria Confirmed Starting Lineup to Face Venezuela

According to a report by ESPN on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have confirmed their starting line-up for their crucial FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final encounter against Venezuela in Morocco.

Head coach Akeem Busari has maintained the same starting eleven that secured a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16, showing his confidence in the players who helped Nigeria reach the quarter-final stage of the competition.

The Flamingos will be hoping to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the semi-finals when they take on the South American side at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Pitch 4, in Salé, Morocco.

Jane Ijirigho has been selected to start in goal, while captain Azeezat Oduntan will lead the team from the defensive line. Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen and Kanyinsola Yusuf have also been included in the starting eleven to strengthen Nigeria’s defence.

In midfield, Mary Dunstan, Favour Nkwocha and Tosin Rafiu have been handed starting roles as the Nigerian team looks to control possession, create opportunities and provide support for the attackers.

Queen Joseph, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku will lead the attacking responsibilities as the Flamingos search for goals against a Venezuelan team that eliminated Germany in the previous round.

Nigeria’s confirmed starting eleven consists of Jane Ijirigho, Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen, Kanyinsola Yusuf, Mary Dunstan, Favour Nkwocha, Tosin Rafiu, Queen Joseph, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Onyinyechi Opara, Mercy Felix, Elizabeth Adesuyi, Pattra Oparanmegwa, Muinat Rotimi, Awawu Bashiru, Precious Oscar, Kaosarat Akanji, Chidera Chidi and Sakirat Sarafa have been named among the substitutes.

On the other hand, Venezuela have also announced their starting eleven, with captain and goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales expected to play an important role in the encounter.

Karla Alfonzo, Dariana Medina, Abril Alejo, Antonella Carmona, Migleydys Bolsegui, Juneski Flores, Astrid Granadillo, Ariana Ojeda, Diana Bravo and Andrea Suarez complete Venezuela’s starting line-up.

Their substitutes include Gabriela Fermin, Roxandrys Torres, Mariangeles Avila, Diana Molina, Valery Nunez, Constanza Martins, Natalia Bermudez, Orliany Duran, Anabella Figueredo and Mara Briceno. Dayana Frias is in charge of the Venezuelan team.

The quarter-final presents an important opportunity for Nigeria to move closer to winning the competition. The Flamingos reached this stage after defeating Mexico 2-1, while Venezuela booked their place in the last eight with a narrow 1-0 victory over Germany.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM Nigerian time, corresponding to 6:00 PM in Morocco, on Sunday, November 1.

A victory will guarantee either Nigeria or Venezuela a place in the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of the quarter-final encounter between China PR and Brazil.

With both countries determined to continue their World Cup campaigns, the Flamingos will be hoping their unchanged starting eleven can deliver another important performance and secure Nigeria’s passage into the last four.

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