U 17 WORLD CUP: FLAMINGOS FACE EARLY EXIT AFTER 1-0 LOSS TO FRANCE

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, are now in danger of missing out on the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after losing 1-0 to France on Wednesday night.

Both teams started cautiously and created few chances in the first half, as Nigeria made four attempts on goal while France managed three shots that went wide. The game remained tight and evenly balanced until the 81st minute when Maissa Fathallah scored the only goal that gave France the win.

The Flamingos had gone into the Group D match hoping to recover from their 4-1 defeat to Canada in their first game, but the result means they have now lost two matches in a row. France have booked their place in the round of 16 after beating Samoa 4-2 in their opening match.

Canada are top of the group after thrashing Samoa 6-0 in Wednesday’s other game, and they too have secured qualification.

Nigeria must now defeat Samoa by a wide margin on Saturday, October 25, to keep any hope alive of advancing to the knockout stage.