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Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, saw their impressive 10-match unbeaten streak come to an end on Saturday after a pulsating 4-3 loss to New Zealand in Casablanca.
It was the team’s first defeat in 11 warm-up matches ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. However, coach Bankole Olowookere’s side showed flashes of attacking brilliance that will boost their confidence ahead of the global tournament.
The Flamingos started brightly, pressing high and dominating the early exchanges. Their pressure paid off in the 13th minute when Queen Joseph calmly slotted home after running onto a clever through pass.
New Zealand equalised in the 25th minute through Laura Bennett, the first goal Nigeria had conceded in their warm-up series. Captain Shakirat Moshood restored the lead with a long-range strike in the 42nd minute, giving the Flamingos a 2-1 halftime advantage.
The second half turned into a goal fest. Joseph struck the post before Bennett completed her hat-trick with goals in the 55th and 74th minutes to put New Zealand 3-2 ahead. Nigeria hit back through Ayo’s fierce drive to level the score, but Candy Sienna’s superb 80th-minute effort sealed the win for the Kiwis.
The Flamingos have now scored 47 goals and conceded only eight in their last 11 games. The Nigerian women’s youth team will face Paraguay next before heading to Rabat, where they open their World Cup campaign on October 19 against Canada.
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