Nigeria 1-2 Poland: Flamingos Narrowly Lose U17 Wwc Group B Opener

The Flamingos of Nigeria began their World Cup campaign with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Poland at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Both teams started the game with intensity and created few chances in the early minutes, but could not convert them.

The Polish ladies eventually broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Wiktoria Skrzypczak scored from the spot after VAR awarded a controversial penalty. 

The Flamingos pushed forward in search of a quick equaliser, but all efforts proved abortive as the half ended 1-0.

The second half began with some urgency from the highly physical Nigerian girls, who tried to maximize their strengths.

However, instead of getting an equaliser, the West African side conceded a second goal in the 65th minute when Natalia Skrok found the net.

Facing an uphill task, coach Akeem Busari introduced fresh legs to the front line shortly after the second goal, as Harmony Chidi and Mary Dunstan made way for Oluebube Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru respectively. The substitution paid off when Umejiaku pulled one back for the Flamingos in the 79th minute.

Nigeria pressed harder for a draw and thought they had won a penalty in the closing stage of the game, only for VAR to turn down their appeal. It ended 2-1 after 97 minutes, including stoppage time.

Coach Busari and his ladies must put the defeat behind them and prepare for their next game against Puerto Rico on Tuesday, 20 October, in Rabat. A win against the debutants would boost the Flamingos’ hopes of progressing to the next round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.