As the curtain rises on 2025, the footballing world prepares for a year brimming with opportunities and high-stakes action. From the global stage to regional battlegrounds and club-level showdowns, fresh talents are ready to claim the spotlight.
In Nigeria, a new crop of young female footballers are poised to make waves on both the domestic and international scenes. With several FIFA, CAF, and WAFU tournaments lined up, these players, all under the age of 24, have ample opportunities to elevate their careers.
Here are five top Nigerian women’s prospects to watch closely in 2025.
Chidi Harmony
The Goalscorer-in-chief of Nigeria’s U17 Women’s team has already built a reputation as a goal-scoring prodigy. Idolizing Victor Osimhen and Erling Haaland, the 15-year-old has shown a clinical edge in front of goal that belies her age.
During the U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Harmony netted 13 goals, including two hat-tricks, finishing as the top scorer across all confederations.
At the tournament in the Dominican Republic, she earned a Player of the Match award in Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Ecuador, contributing a goal and an assist.
Her performances continued at the WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup, where her hat-trick helped Nigeria edge Côte d’Ivoire 3-2. With FIFA youth tournaments on the horizon, Harmony remains a vital player for both Nigeria’s U17 and U20 teams.
Shakirat Moshood
Shakirat Moshood’s meteoric rise in 2024 turned heads across the Nigerian football community.
Virtually unknown before the U17 Women’s World Cup, the midfielder showcased her football intelligence, netting four goals in the group stages and leading Nigeria to the quarterfinals.
Her match-winning long-range strike against the Dominican Republic earned her the Goal of the Tournament award. At the WAFU B Girls Championship, Moshood continued to impress, driving Nigeria to a second-place finish behind Ghana.
The soon-to-be 17, Moshood could feature in upcoming FIFA youth tournaments or even earn a surprise call-up to the senior Super Falcons.
Edna Imade
The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2024/25 Liga F season in Spain.
Born to Nigerian parents in Morocco during a difficult migration journey, Imade’s footballing journey began in small-town Carmona, where her talent quickly became apparent.
Currently plying her trade at Granada, Imade has scored nine goals in 13 league appearances, making her the second-top scorer in the league behind Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor. Her efforts earned her the December Liga F Player of the Month award, edging out players from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
As calls for her inclusion in the Super Falcons squad grow louder, Imade remains a player to watch as she navigates a promising career trajectory.
Christiana Uzoma
At just 16, Christiana Uzoma has already displayed the maturity of a seasoned goalkeeper. Representing Nigeria at the U17 Women’s World Cup, she kept two clean sheets in four matches, conceding only three goals throughout the tournament.
Her performances earned her the Golden Glove at the inaugural WAFU U17 Women’s Cup, where she showcased her reflexes and commanding presence in the penalty area.
With her sights set on further development, Uzoma could emerge as a backup option to Super Falcons’ first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Shukurat Oladipo
After impressing at the U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, where she featured in four matches, Oladipo earned a call-up to the Super Falcons for their friendly against Algeria.
The FC Robo Queens defender also featured against France, coming on as a substitute for Michelle Alozie in Nigeria’s narrow 2-1 loss.
With her versatility and consistency, Oladipo is set to become a mainstay in the national team.
