Nigeria’s Flamingos suffered a 1-0 defeat to France in their second Group D game at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday night, Afrosport reports.
Their hopes of reaching the knockout stage took a huge hit when a late goal from Maissa Fathallah handed the French ladies all three points at the Football Academy Mohammed VI.
Nothing separated both sides after a tightly contested first half. Nigeria managed four attempts at goal, while France failed to hit the target with any of their three efforts. Chisom Nwachukwu went closest for the Flamingos with a superb free-kick, but France goalkeeper Chevray Lauryne tipped it over the bar.
The Flamingos came out stronger after the break and nearly took the lead in the 50th minute when Queen Joseph’s corner fell to Nwachukwu, whose close-range shot was once again denied by Lauryne. Substitute Laboucarie Luna almost punished Nigeria on the counter 12 minutes later, but Jumai Adebayo’s goal-line clearance spared the West Africans.
France eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute through Fathallah, whose low strike beat Elizabeth Boniface to seal maximum points for the Europeans.
The result leaves Nigeria third in the group with no points from two matches. They now face Samoa in their final group fixture on Saturday, knowing only a convincing win can keep their qualification hopes alive.
With the expanded 24-team format allowing the four best third-placed teams to reach the round of 16, Bankole Olowookere’s side still have a slim chance — but they must win big and improve their goal difference to stay in the tournament.
Speaking after the game, Olowookere said: “The game we played against France was much better than the one against Canada. If we had shown the same kind of fight in that first game, I don’t think we’d be in the situation we’re in now.
“It was really unfortunate to concede that late goal, it was painful, heartbreaking even. We’ll just keep working hard and see if we can get something out of it to stay in the tournament.”
