Nigerian youngster Shakirat Abidemi Moshood has been named in SCU Torreense’s squad for Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s Europa Cup second-leg clash against FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv, putting the highly-rated midfielder in line to make her competitive debut for the Portuguese side.

The 18-year-old Nigerian is included in Torreense’s official squad for the second qualifying-round encounter at Campo Manuel Marques in Torres Vedras, Portugal, on Wednesday, September 30. UEFA lists Moshood among the club’s midfield options with shirt number 12. 

Moshood joined Torreense during the summer transfer window from Nigerian club Bayelsa Queens, beginning a new chapter of her career in Portuguese football after making a name for herself on the domestic and international youth scene. 

Her delayed competitive appearance for the Portuguese outfit was largely due to the completion of the necessary transfer and registration formalities, including paperwork and work-permit requirements required for her to become available for selection.

With those formalities now completed, Moshood has been registered for Torreense’s Europa Cup campaign and could finally make her first competitive appearance for the club against Metalist 1925.

The match presents another important opportunity for the former Flamingos star, who was among Nigeria’s standout young talents and was previously shortlisted for the CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award. 

Torreense go into the second leg with a 2-1 advantage from the first meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, where the Portuguese side secured victory over Metalist 1925.

Jennie Lakip scored both goals for Torreense in the first leg, with Metalist pulling one back late in the encounter, leaving the Portuguese side with a slender advantage ahead of the return fixture.

With the tie finely poised, Torreense will be looking to complete the job on home soil and advance to the next stage of the competition.

For Moshood, however, the focus will be on taking the next step in what could become an important European chapter in her developing career.

Her name features alongside established members of the Torreense squad, including goalkeeper Rute Costa, defenders Bruna Ramos and Ella Tonkin, midfielders Daniuska Rodriguez, Gerda Konst and Nicole Nunes, as well as forwards Lakip, Janaina Weimer and Maria Guerreiro. 

While her inclusion in the official squad does not guarantee playing time, Moshood’s selection represents a significant milestone after her wait for international clearance and registration.

The Torreense-Metalist 1925 encounter is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Portugal time on Wednesday, with Torreense carrying the advantage from the first leg.

A competitive debut would give Moshood the opportunity to begin building her European experience and stake a claim for a regular place in the Torreense squad as the season progresses.