WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Statistical background as South Africa seek redemption in Argentina duel
Argentina and South Africa will both be looking to not only get off the mark in this edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup but earn their first-ever victories in the history of the tournament.
This will be Argentina’s 11th outing in four instalments of the competition, and the CONMEBOL representatives will see it as a good opportunity to get their first win under their belts in what is their inaugural contest against a team from Africa at the finals.
They will take heart from their opening performance against Italy, when they looked to be on course to hold their opponents to a creditable goalless draw, only to concede in the 87th minute.
South Africa were equally unfortunate to be on the receiving end of a late goal, having taken the lead early in the second half against Sweden before ultimately going down 2-1 to a 90th-minute winner.
They will, however, take confidence from their performance and look to bounce back in this Group G encounter.
- Head-to-Head: Both have never met
KEY FACTS
- This will be the first time that Argentina have faced African opposition at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Argentina have yet to win a FIFA Women’s World Cup match in ten attempts (Draw: 2,Lost 8).
- Against Italy, Argentina’s Vanina Correa became the oldest goalkeeper to have made an appearance at the finals, at the age of 39 years and 344 days.
- Each of Argentina’s five goals at the finals have been scored in the second half. Their earliest goal to date was scored by Eva González in the 60th minute of their 6-1 defeat against England in 2007.
- This is South Africa’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup match against South American opposition.
- Against Sweden, Bambanani Mbane became the oldest player to have featured in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match for South Africa, at the age of 33 years and 133 days.
ARGENTINA TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play 10, Win 0, Draw 2, Lost 8, Goals For: 5, Goals Against: 38, Goal Difference: -33
- Biggest win: nil
- Biggest defeat: Argentina 0-11Germany (10/09/2007)
- Highest scoring match: 11 goals – Argentina 0-11 Germany (10/09/2007)
- Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Argentina 3-3 Scotland (19/06/2019)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 11 – Argentina 0-11 Germany (10/09/2007)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2019 (3 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 – 2003 (3 matches) and 2007 (3 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 18 – 2007 (3 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2019 (3 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: nil
- Successive defeats: 6 (2003-2007)
- Successive draws: 1 (twice, both in 2019)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 1 (twice, both in 2019) Successive matches without a win: 10 (2003-present)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2003, 2007 and 2019)
- Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2003, 2007 and 2019)
- Successive clean sheets: 1 (2019)
SOUTH AFRICA TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play 4, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 4, Goals For: 2, Goals Against: 10, Goals Difference: -8
- Biggest win: nil
- Biggest defeat: South Africa 04. Germany (17/06/2019)
- Highest scoring match: 4 goals – South Africa 1-3 Spain (08/06/2019)/South Africa 0-4 Germany (17/06/2019)
- Most goals scored in a match: 1 – South Africa 1-3 Spain (08/06/2019)/South Africa 1-2 Sweden (23/07/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 4 – South Africa 0-4 Germany (17/06/2019)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 – 2019 (3 matches) and 2023 (1 match)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 – 2019 (3 matches) and 2023 (1 match)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 2019 (3 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 2019 (3 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: nil
- Successive defeats: 4 (2019-present)
- Successive draws: 0
- Successive matches without a defeat: 0
- Successive matches without a win: 4 (2019-present)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2019 and 2023-present)
- Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2019)
- Successive clean sheets: 0
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s U17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, are rounding off their preparations for the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a string of dominant performances that underscore their growing confidence and team chemistry.
In a remarkable build-up campaign, the Flamingos have played eight friendly matches in Abuja, winning all and maintaining a perfect defensive record. The team has scored 26 goals without conceding, a run that has lifted morale and heightened expectations ahead of their World Cup challenge.
Last week, the team showcased their attacking prowess with a convincing 3–0 victory over Abuja All-Stars.
Praise Agba opened the scoring from a loose ball, Olamide Olanrewaju doubled the lead from the penalty spot, and Zainab Raji sealed the win with a thunderous strike shortly after the restart. Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu was outstanding between the sticks, producing several key saves to preserve another clean sheet.
Earlier, the Flamingos overcame a rain-disrupted clash against Josiah Academy, running out 2–0 winners courtesy of a Chisom Nwachukwu brace within the opening 10 minutes before the downpour forced an early end to proceedings.
The girls also recorded emphatic wins over Nazareth Angels (5–0), with Queen Joseph bagging a brace and goals from Praise Agba, Mariam Yahaya, and Chisom Nwachukwu; and Horvel Prime (5–0), where Joseph netted a first-half hat-trick, while captain Shakirat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan added one apiece.
Across all their tune-up matches, the Flamingos have demonstrated an impressive balance — clinical in attack, disciplined in midfield, and solid at the back — as they fine-tune for global competition.
Drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa, Nigeria will depart for Morocco on October 8, aiming to carry their perfect form into the tournament, which runs from October 17 to November 8.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, continued the country’s dominance over Rwanda on the international football stage by securing a 1–0 victory in Kigali on Sunday in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second-round qualifier.
The narrow win comes against the backdrop of two recent triumphs by the Super Eagles over Rwanda in the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, underlining Nigeria’s growing hold in encounters with the East Africans.
At the Kigali-Pele Stadium in Nyamirambo, both sides battled fiercely in a goalless first half, with chances at a premium. The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute when Alaba Olabiyi bundled the ball home from a goalmouth scramble after a Falconets corner. The strike proved enough to hand Coach Moses Aduku a winning start in his first competitive game in charge of the team.
With the victory, the Falconets carry a slim but valuable advantage into the return leg at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Saturday, where they will be backed by home support as they push for a place in the next round of qualifiers.
The team’s delegation is expected back in Nigeria on Monday morning to begin preparations for the decisive clash.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers