Flamingos defender Jumai Adebayo has highlighted Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as her role model as Nigeria gears up for their opener at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Adebayo, a key figure in the team’s qualification, played both legs of the final round against Liberia and hopes to start in their first game against New Zealand. She praised Van Dijk’s confidence and calmness, qualities that have made him one of the world’s top centre-backs. Nigeria aims to build on their third-place finish in the last edition by winning the title for the first time.