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Morocco 2025: Flamingos’ knockout hopes fade after narrow defeat to France
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria’s U-17 girls saw their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco take a heavy blow on Wednesday night after a narrow 1–0 defeat to France — their second straight loss of the tournament.
The match was cagey from the onset, with both sides showing defensive discipline rather than attacking flair. Flamingos created the better chances in the first half, registering four attempts on goal compared to France’s three, though none found the target.
The Flamingos’ best opportunity came from a well-taken Chisom Nwachukwu free-kick, but France’s goalkeeper Chevray Lauryne reacted sharply, tipping the ball over the crossbar to deny Nigeria an early lead.
After the restart, Nigeria again came close when Queen Joseph’s corner fell kindly to Nwachukwu, whose close-range effort was brilliantly saved once more by Lauryne in the 50th minute.
At the other end, France almost broke through in the 62nd minute when Laboucarie Luna capitalized on a defensive mix-up, but Jumai Adebayo’s crucial goal-line clearance spared Nigeria further trouble.
France eventually found the breakthrough in the 81st minute, as Maissa Fathallah fired a low shot beyond goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface, sealing the three points for Les Bleuettes.
The result leaves Nigeria with zero points from two matches, following their opening-day defeat to Canada. The Flamingos now face Samoa in their final group-stage encounter — a must-win game if they are to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.
Despite flashes of promise, the Flamingos’ inability to convert chances proved costly once again. They must now deliver a decisive performance against Samoa to avoid an early exit from Morocco 2025.
