WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Statistical preview of Germany- Morocco Women’s World Cup match
Two-time champions Germany and debutants Morocco kick their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaigns off in Group H as they meet at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the same ground where Nigeria’s Super Falcons gamely held the Olympic champions, Canada last Friday
Here are striking points to note:
- Winners in 2003 and 2007, Germany’s qualification for the finals in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand has seen them, like Nigeria’s Super Falcons,maintain their record of appearing at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament was first staged in 1991.
- Morocco have rewritten the history books after qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. In doing so, they also become the first Arab nation to reach the finals. The Atlas Lionessessecured their spot at the tournament after finishing runners-up at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – their best-ever performance in the continental showpiece.
- Head-to-Head: Both teams have never met at the Women’s World Cup.
- Germany have never failed to qualify for the knockout phase in their previous eight tournament campaigns. They became the first nation to win back-to-back editions of the Women’s World Cup when they triumphed in 2003 and 2007.
- The Germans, tagged Die Nationalelf, have lost only one of their 24 group-stage matches in the tournament. They have won 15 and drawn four of their 19 group outings since a 3-2 defeat to Sweden in 1995.
- Die Nationalelfhave won their opening fixture in seven of their eight appearances at the finals, with the only exception being a 1-1 draw against Italy in 1999.
- Germany have won and kept a clean sheet in each of their previous five FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against African nations.
- Morocco earned their place at the finals courtesy of their exploits at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished runners-up to South Africa. Ghizlane Chebbak captained the team at the continental competition, playing a pivotal role in their run to the final en route to claiming the Player of the Tournament crown.
GERMANY TEAM FACTS
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS
- Overall record: Play44, Win 30, Draw 5, Lost 9, Goals For 121. Goals Against 39 Goal Difference: 82
- Biggest win: 11-0 Germany v. Argentina (10/09/2007)
- Biggest defeat: 0-4 Germany v. Sweden (29/11/1991)
- Highest scoring match: 11 goals – Germany 11-0 Argentina (10/09/2007)
- Most goals scored in a match: 11 – Germany 11-0 Argentina (10/09/2007)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 5 – Germany 2-5 United States (27/11/1991)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 25 – 2003 (6 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 7 – 2011 (4 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 10 – 1991 (6 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 1991 (6 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: 7 (2003-2007 and 2007-2011)
- Successive defeats: 2 (1991 and 2015) Successive draws: 1 (five times)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 15 (2003-2011)
- Successive matches without a win: 3 (2015)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 11 (1999-2007)
- Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2015)
- Successive clean sheets: 6 (2007)
MOROCCO TEAM FACTS
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS
- Overall record: Play0. Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 0, Goals For 0, Goals Against 0, Goal Difference 0.
- Biggest win: nil
- Biggest defeat: nil
- Highest scoring match: nil
- Most goals scored in a match: nil
- Most goals conceded in a match: nil
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: nil
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: nil
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: nil
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: nil
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: nil
- Successive defeats: nil
- Successive draws: nil
- Successive matches without a defeat: nil
- Successive matches without a win: nil
- Successive matches with a goal scored: nil
- Successive matches without scoring: nil
- Successive clean sheets: nil
Nigeria’s Under-21 women’s team Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has unveiled a final squad of 21 players that will represent Nigeria at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup taking place in Morocco from 17 October to 8 November.
The list features a blend of exciting new talents and returning performers, including attacking midfielder Shakirat Moshood, goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu, defender Jumai Adebayo, and forward Queen Joseph.
The Flamingos, who arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday for the final phase of preparations, are aiming to surpass their historic bronze-medal finish at the last edition of the tournament in India (2022).
Olowookere, who guided that 2022 squad to third place — Nigeria’s best-ever finish at the competition — expressed confidence that the current team has what it takes to go even further this time around.
“This group has shown great commitment and hunger,” he said. “Our goal is to build on the achievements of 2022 and challenge for the ultimate prize in Morocco.”
Also named in the final roster are goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface, defenders Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday, midfielders Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji, and forwards Chisom Nwachukwu and Mariam Yahaya.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group D, where they will face Canada, France, and Samoa. The Flamingos will open their campaign against Canada on Sunday, 19 October, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. (Nigerian time) at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Sale.
Three days later, they will tackle France at the same kickoff time on Pitch 1, before wrapping up their group stage fixtures against Samoa on 25 October at 5 p.m. on Pitch 3 of the same venue.
The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025 will feature 16 teams competing across multiple cities, as the tournament returns to Africa for the first time in its history.
21 FLAMINGOS FOR 2025 FIFA U17 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINALS
Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens)
Defenders: Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo (Rivers Angels); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo); Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers); Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99); Fatimoh Shuaib (Nasarawa Amazons)
Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy); Zainab Raji (Dannaz FC); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC)
Forwards: Kaosarat Olanrewaju (Ayishat Yusuf Academy, Lagos); Mariam Yahaya (FC Robo); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo); Precious Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels)
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The Nigeria U17 Women’s National Team, Flamingos, arrived safely in Morocco on Wednesday, ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The team departed Abuja early Wednesday morning at 7:18 a.m. aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight and landed in Casablanca at 11:28 a.m. Nigeria time.
On arrival at the Mohammed V International Airport, the girls were greeted with an unexpected but inspiring moment as they ran into former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, who was en route to France.
The ex-international took a few moments to speak with the players, urging them to stay disciplined, focused, and to represent Nigeria with pride and unity at the global showpiece. His words were met with smiles and applause from both players and officials.
The Flamingos have since settled into their base at the Ibis Hotel in Casablanca, where they will spend the next few days fine-tuning their preparations before heading to Rabat for the tournament proper.
The team’s spirit was high upon arrival, with several players expressing excitement at the opportunity to don Nigeria’s colors on the world stage once again.
The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists held a light training session on Wednesday evening to help the players recover from jet-lag and get used to the Moroccan weather conditions. The session focused primarily on recovery, ball movement, and coordination drills.
Nigeria is drawn in Group D of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, alongside Canada, France, and Samoa, with their opening match scheduled for Sunday, October 19. The Flamingos head into the tournament full of confidence, having played ten preparatory matches, scoring 44 goals without conceding.
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Flamingos Set for Morocco 2025 as Nigeria’s U-17s Depart Abuja for Final World Cup Preparations
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin the final leg of preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Morocco.
The team will travel aboard Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic hub, where they will set up camp ahead of the tournament.
During their stay in Casablanca, the Flamingos will step up their build-up programme with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, and then Paraguay on October 14.
Following their training camp, the team will move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, joining other participating nations as the countdown begins to the global showpiece.
Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in what promises to be a competitive group. The Flamingos will begin their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before locking horns with France three days later.
Both matches will be played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Nigerian time. Their final group match comes against Samoa on October 25, starting at 5 p.m., also in Sale.
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament brimming with confidence after a remarkable build-up.
The Flamingos have played 10 tune-up games, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any, a record that highlights their attacking prowess and defensive discipline.
Olowookere has expressed optimism about his team’s readiness, noting that the squad’s balance and form give them belief they can surpass their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.
With a perfect preparation run and growing momentum, the Flamingos will be aiming to make history in Morocco and bring pride to Nigerian women’s football once again.
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