Nigeria’s Flamingos suffer opening defeat to Poland at U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria began their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat by Poland in their opening Group B match on Saturday.

The Flamingos were beaten at the Women’s Football Complex in Morocco, leaving them needing a positive result from their remaining group fixtures.

Poland went ahead in the 33rd minute when Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted a penalty. The goal gave the European side a 1-0 lead at half-time and left Nigeria facing a second-half fightback.

The Flamingos returned after the break in search of an equaliser, but Poland extended their advantage in the 66th minute. Natalia Skrok found the net to make it 2-0 and put Nigeria under further pressure.

Nigeria responded by reducing the deficit in the 79th minute through Oluebube Umejiaku. However, her goal proved insufficient to prevent defeat in the tournament’s opening match.

The result means the Flamingos must respond quickly in their next Group B fixture as they attempt to get their campaign back on track.

Nigeria will play Puerto Rico on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in their second group-stage match. The game offers the Nigerian side a chance to claim their first points of the competition.

They will then face defending champions Korea DPR on Friday, October 23.