Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, began their 2025 World Cup campaign with a sobering 4-1 defeat to Canada at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé on Sunday night, their heaviest-ever opening day loss at the tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
Canada needed barely 70 seconds to open the scoring as Gabriela Istocki punished a slack Nigerian defence, turning home a low cross from close range. The goal shook the West Africans into life.
Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side responded with intensity, pressing high, fighting for loose balls, and pushing forward with pace and intent.
The pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Queen Joseph calmly levelled from close range after Canada’s goalkeeper spilled Olamide Olanrewaju’s fierce drive.
That equaliser temporarily swung momentum Nigeria’s way. The Flamingos dominated possession and created chances, recording 13 shots and four corners before halftime, while Canada managed only two attempts and no corner kicks. Yet, despite their enterprise, the Flamingos could not find a second goal before the break.
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Second-half implosion and end of a proud Nigeria record
The second half told a different story.
Canada emerged revitalised and gradually seized control of midfield. Nigeria’s defensive organisation, so impressive early on, began to unravel.
In the 73rd minute, Melisa Kekic restored Canada’s lead with a precise strike from the edge of the box after a lapse in Flamingos’ concentration. From there, it all fell apart.
Goalkeeper errors and defensive nerves handed the North Americans two late goals, both from Amireh, who struck in the 80th and 86th minutes to complete a personal brace and condemn the African giants to a crushing defeat.
The result ended Nigeria’s nine-year unbeaten streak in opening World Cup matches, stretching back to their 1-0 defeat to Brazil in 2016.
It was also Canada’s first-ever win over the Flamingos at this level, following a 1-1 draw in their only previous meeting.
Africa’s struggles at the tournament continued elsewhere.
Morocco were thrashed 3-0 by Brazil, Cameroon fell narrowly 4-3 to the Netherlands, and Zambia lost 2-1 to Paraguay, leaving Ivory Coast’s 1-1 draw with South Korea as the continent’s sole point so far.
Nigeria now sit bottom of Group D, with France, 4-2 winners over Samoa earlier in the day, second on the table behind Canada.
The Flamingos face France on Wednesday, October 22, before rounding off their group campaign against Samoa on Saturday, October 25.
