Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, began their 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign on a disappointing note after suffering a 4–1 defeat to Canada in their Group D opener on Sunday at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Salé, near Rabat, Morocco.
The Canadians started the match strongly, taking the lead inside two minutes when Gabriela Istocki calmly converted from Molly Hale’s surging run down the left flank.
Nigeria responded well, with captain Shakirat Moshood testing the Canadian goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse twice in quick succession, while Chisom Nwachukwu also came close. Their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Cisse failed to deal with a shot from Kaosarat Olanrewaju, and Queen Joseph pounced on the loose ball to level the score at 1–1.
The second half, however, belonged to Canada. Substitute Melisa Kekic restored their lead in the 73rd minute, firing low past goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface.
A spilled ball from Boniface allowed Julia Amireh to make it 3–1 with 10 minutes left, before she sealed her brace in the 84th minute with a composed finish past the Nigerian defence.
Despite flashes of attacking intent, the Flamingos were unable to find a way back, as the Canadians proved more clinical in front of goal.
Nigeria will now look to bounce back when they face France in their second group match on Wednesday evening.
