Flamingos Lose Their U-17 Women’s World Cup Opener to Poland
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Nigeria’s Flamingos began their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland in Group B in Rabat, Morocco, on October 17. Poland went ahead from a penalty in the 33rd minute through Wiktoria Skrzypczak and doubled their lead around the hour mark through Natalia Skrok. Oluebube Umejiaku pulled one back from a free kick in the 79th minute after coming on as a substitute, and Nigeria pushed for an equaliser, including an unsuccessful appeal for a late penalty, but could not find it.
The result leaves Nigeria and Puerto Rico without points in Group B, while Poland and defending champions Korea DPR both have three. The Flamingos reached the tournament by winning the WAFU-B U-17 Girls’ Championship in Ivory Coast last month and beating Benin in the final qualifying round. Next up is Puerto Rico on Tuesday, October 20, followed by Korea DPR on Friday, October 23.
An opening-game loss hurts but does not end this. The group is tight, and Puerto Rico is the obvious must-win. The more worrying sign is how little Nigeria created before the changes: coach Akeem Busari’s substitutions produced the goal, which raises the question of why the starting plan took so long to threaten Poland. It also adds to a rough weekend for Nigerian youth football, with the boys’ Golden Eaglets going out of the WAFU-B Championship and missing the U-17 AFCON for a third straight edition.
Quick facts:
- Poland 2-1 Nigeria in Rabat on October 17
- Umejiaku scored Nigeria’s goal in the 79th minute
- Next: Puerto Rico (October 20), then Korea DPR (October 23)
- Flamingos qualified after winning WAFU-B and beating Benin
Can the Flamingos still reach the knockout stage? Share your prediction.
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