Nigeria: Flamingos send warning to France, Canada with back-to-back friendly wins

Nigeria’s Women U17 team, the Flamingos. Photo Credit: NFF X

Nigeria’s U17 women’s team have fired an early warning to group rivals France and Canada after sealing two wins in a single day as preparations intensify for next month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Flamingos first edged Eagle’s Wing U13 Boys 1–0 at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Wednesday morning.

Forward Fatimoh Shuaib grabbed the winner inside the opening minutes, finishing calmly after a sharp link-up with Tabitha Terlumu. The youngsters were pushed back for long spells, but goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface stood firm, marshalling her defence to protect the slim lead.

Later in the day, the Flamingos returned with greater authority, brushing aside Harmony FA U13 Boys 3–0.

Zainab Raji pounced on a defensive lapse to open the scoring before Olamide Olanrewaju doubled the lead with a close-range finish. Substitute Favour Etim sealed the result with a crisp strike soon after coming on, while Terlumu saw a penalty saved late on.

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Two games, two wins, four goals scored, none conceded. During the double-header, head coach Bankole Olowookere would be pleased to see his Flamingos squad show depth, balance, and the kind of sharpness needed against the world’s best.

The Flamingos are drawn in Group D of the World Cup alongside European giants France, North American challengers Canada, and debutants Samoa.

The expanded tournament, running from October 17 to November 8, will be the first FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup staged on African soil and the first with 24 participating nations.

Elsewhere, hosts Morocco face Brazil, Italy and Costa Rica in Group A, while holders DPR Korea are paired with Mexico, Cameroon and the Netherlands in Group B. Group C brings together the USA, Ecuador, China and Norway, with Spain, Colombia, South Korea and Ivory Coast in Group E. Group F has Japan, New Zealand, Zambia and Paraguay.

Nigeria, making their eighth appearance at this level, have never gone all the way but finished third at the 2022 edition in India.

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele

Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.

From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.