Flamingos Will Learn From 4-1 Defeat To Canada – Coach

Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere has backed the team to learn from the 4-1 defeat to Canada in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Nigerian U-17 girls endured a disappointing start to the tournament with a poor performance in the encounter on Sunday.

Canada went in front after a strong run by Molly Hale from the left was smartly finished off by Gabriela Istocki.

Queen Joseph equalised for Nigeria on the half hour mark.

Five minutes later, Canada went 2-1 up after a long ball freed substitute Melisa Kekic, and she turned a defender before firing low past Elizabeth Boniface.

With 10 minutes left, substitute Julia Amireh profited hugely as goalkeeper Boniface spilled the ball in an attempt to foil an attack by the rampant Canadians, making it 3-1.

Six minutes later, it was 4-1, as Amireh outpaced the Nigerian defence and drove the ball to the far right of Boniface.

The team’s coach, Olowookere, rued their inability to finish their chances while expressing confidence that the team will bounce back in their next game.

He said: “This was a huge game. Sometimes mistakes happen. We had our chances in the first half. We didn’t take advantage of them and we paid dearly for it.

“I think it’s a lesson we’ll keep learning, and then we’ll go back and watch how we played and see how we bounce back.”

In the other Group D match, France defeated Samoa 4-2.

Nigeria will be back in action against France on Wednesday at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Stadium.