Nigeria’s U17 ladies, the Flamingos, noticed their ten-match unbeaten streak come to an finish on Saturday morning following an exciting 4–3 defeat to New Zealand in Casablanca.
It was the Flamingos’ first loss in 11 warm-up video games forward of the 2025 FIFA U17 Girls’s World Cup in Morocco. Regardless of the end result, coach Bankole Olowookere’s facet impressed with their attacking play, displaying indicators of promise as they proceed preparations for the match.
The match was full of pleasure and attacking soccer from each groups. Nigeria began brightly, urgent excessive and forcing an early nook inside two minutes. Captain Shakirat Moshood appeared sharp in midfield, whereas goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface made a superb save from a New Zealand free kick.
The Flamingos’ dominance paid off within the thirteenth minute when Queen Joseph calmly slotted residence after a intelligent by way of ball. New Zealand equalised within the twenty fifth minute by way of Laura Bennett — the primary objective Nigeria had conceded of their total build-up sequence.
The Kiwis thought they’d gone forward moments later, however the objective was dominated out for offside. Moshood then restored Nigeria’s lead with a shocking long-range effort within the forty second minute, giving the Flamingos a 2–1 benefit at half-time.
Within the second half, New Zealand got here out stronger. Joseph almost made it 3–1, however her strike hit the put up, and Bennett levelled the rating once more within the fifty fifth minute earlier than finishing her hat-trick within the 74th to place her facet forward.
Nigeria fought again by way of Ayo’s highly effective effort from distance to make it 3–3, however Sweet Sienna’s good strike within the eightieth minute sealed a dramatic 4–3 victory for the Kiwis.
The Flamingos pushed arduous within the closing minutes however had been unable to seek out one other objective towards a disciplined New Zealand defence.
The loss brings to an finish Nigeria’s spectacular ten-game unbeaten run, throughout which they scored 47 objectives and conceded solely 4.
The Flamingos will face Paraguay subsequent of their closing warm-up match earlier than heading to Rabat, the place they may start their World Cup marketing campaign in Group D towards Canada, France, and Samoa on 19 October.
