Nigerian Singer to Drop FIFA U-17 World Cup Official Song

By BUNMi OGUNYALE A Nigerian singer and songwriter, Okereke Blessed Jordan, professionally known as Yarden is billed to drop the official song for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Yarden is known for his single Wetin which went viral on TikTok, earning him a debut on the TurnTable charts NXT Emerging Top Artistes at 9 for a total of 17 weeks. Lagos-raised artist Yarden is shaping the future of Afrobeats with a sound that fuses soul, rhythm, and global energy. Having burst onto the scene in 2023 with his viral hit Wetin, he is considered one of Nigeria’s most exciting up-and-coming voices, with music that embodies the fearless and borderless spirit of a generation of African artists shaping global sound. “TMRW’S GOAT is all about celebrating the energy, dreams, and spirit of young players who are writing their own stories,” shared Yarden. “The FIFA U-17 World Cup is where future legends are born, and this song is a reminder that greatness starts today. Working with Nour from Egypt made it even more special, it shows how music, just like football, can unite us across cultures and inspire the next generation.” The spirit of unity and competitiveness fostered by the track will be on full display as an exciting new chapter of FIFA U-17 World Cup history gets under way next Monday This year’s edition of the tournament is the first ever 48-team FIFA competition and will once again provide a priceless opportunity for the next generation of world football’s superstars to announce themselves on the global stage.

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U17 Women’s World Cup: Legend Mercy Akide-Udoh Inspires Flamingos

Nigeria legend, FIFA Women’s World Cup star and FIFA’s Ambassador for the women’s game, Mercy Akide-Udoh on Friday had a session with players of Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos in Morocco, two days before the Flamingos’ 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup opener against Canada.   Mercy Akide-Udoh is in Morocco as a member of the FIFA Players’ Voice Panel. The 16-strong Players’ Voice Panel brings together former male and female players from diverse ethnic backgrounds and all six confederations. The panel advises and supports FIFA and its 211 Member Associations in the global stand against racism. The panel ensures that lived experience is central to the global stand against racism, with panel members offering critical insights on how racism impacts players both on and off the pitch.   ROLE OF THE PANEL • ADVISE: provide guidance and input on initiatives driving the global stand against racism • EDUCATE: support and lead educational efforts to build awareness and inspire action against racism • MONITOR: track progress and drive reforms for lasting change in the global stand against racism   Mercy will lead educational efforts to raise awareness and inspire action against racism and all forms of discrimination, and took time to advise and encourage the Nigerian girls. She plans to visit them again before their opening match on Sunday.

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2025 FIFA U17 World Cup finals: Flamingos in Flaming Form Ahead of Departure to Morocco

The U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, are wrapping up their World Cup preparations in Abuja with a streak of impressive results that demonstrate their growing confidence and cohesion.   Since returning to camp, the girls have played eight friendly matches, winning all, scoring 26 goals and conceding none—a perfect record that has boosted morale ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Morocco.   Last week, the Flamingos turned on the style. They cruised to a 3-0 victory over Abuja All-Stars, with Praise Agba scoring on a loose ball, Olamide Olanrewaju converting from the penalty spot, and Zainab Raji adding a thundering third soon after the break. Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu was heroic, pulling off multiple saves to keep her sheet clean. Earlier, they battled through a rain-disrupted friendly against Josiah Academy, winning 2–0 thanks to a Chisom Nwachukwu brace inside the opening 10 minutes before the heavens forced an early halt.   There were also emphatic wins over Nazareth Angels (5–0), with Queen Joseph scoring twice alongside goals from Praise Agba, Mariam Yahaya, and Chisom Nwachukwu, and a commanding 5–0 triumph over Horvel Prime, in which Queen Joseph grabbed a hat-trick in 35 minutes, supported by strikes from captain Shakirat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan. In all their tune-up games, the Flamingos have demonstrated balance, depth, and hunger, from precise finishing in attack to defensive resilience.   The team is now fully focused on their World Cup campaign, where they have been placed in Group D against Canada, France, and Samoa.   The team is scheduled to depart Nigeria on 8th October, bringing their perfect run and growing belief to the international stage as they seek glory in Morocco (17th October – 8th November 2025).

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Flamingos Resume Camping Ahead 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has invited a total of 30 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, as the team kickstarts preparations for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, taking place in Morocco. Invited are four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and nine strikers. 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists, Nigeria overpowered South Africa and Algeria in the qualifying series to pick a ticket to the first-ever 24-team FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, which will be played across four venues in two cities in Morocco, 17th October – 8th November. Venues earmarked for the finals (the first of five straight final tournaments to be hosted by Morocco) are the Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sport Complex, Al Barid Stadium and Mohamed VI Football Academy. The invited players are expected to arrive camp in Abuja on Sunday, 7th September. ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Abigail Nmecha (Team Abia); Sylva Echefu (Bayelsa Queens) Defenders: Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo); Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers); Ufuoma Lucky (Royal Queens, Warri); Choice Ovwighovwiroro (New Generation, Abuja); Maryjane Ikeche (Ahudiyannem Queens); Blessed Isigbo (Remo Stars Ladies); Grace Ufot (Fortress Ladies) Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Fatimah Shuaib (Confluence Queens); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Taiwo Lukman (Confluence Queens); Esther Lasisi (N-Youth, Abuja); Precious Nkwocha (Imo Strikers); Gift Anekan (New Generation, Abuja); Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC) Forwards: Kaosara Olanrewaju (Aisha Yusuf Academy, Lagos); Kindness Ifeanyi (Bayelsa Queens); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy); Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo); Destiny Itodore (Delta Queens); Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels); Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99)

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