WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Facts before the match as Nigeria face uphill task against Canada
Match background
This Group B encounter sees Nigeria and Canada meet for the third time at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Their first clash was a 3-3 draw in the 1995 group stage, more recently Nigeria claimed a 1-0 victory in the group stage in 2011.
Nigeria have maintained their ever-present record at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and are the only African team to feature in all nine editions of the competition.
After reaching the round of 16 in 2019, the Super Falcons will need to start well in this tough group if they are to reach the knockout phase once again.
The 2020 Olympic Gold medallists Canada will rightly have high expectations coming into this tournament and they are competing in their eighth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup, having missed only the inaugural tournament in 1991. Canada’s best performance at the finals came at the 2003 edition in the USA when they finished in fourth place. The closest they have come to emulating that feat was in 2015 when they reached the quarter-finals on home soil and they will be looking to progress deep into the tournament once again here.
Last meeting: 11/04/2022, Canada 2-2 Nigeria, friendly, Starlight Stadium, Langford (Canada)
Key facts: Nigeria are the only African team to feature in all nine editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Nigeria’s Onome Ebi is featuring in her sixth Women’s World Cup.
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, she became the first-ever African to play in five editions of the competition.
Canada won their opening fixture 1-0 at the last two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Canada’s Christine Sinclair holds several records for her nation at the Women’s World Cup, including most tournaments with an appearance (5), most tournaments with a goal (5), most appearances (21), most goals scored (10), oldest player to make an appearance (36y 12d) and oldest player to score a goal (36y 8d).
The two oldest players at the 2023 finals could potentially feature in this match. Nigeria’s Onome Ebi (40y 74d) and Canada’s Christine Sinclair (40y 39d).
Nigeria team facts
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS
Overall record: P: 26 W: 4 D: 3 L: 19 F: 20 A: 63 GD: -43 Biggest win: 2-0Nigeria v. Denmark (27/06/1999)/2-0 Nigeria v. Korea Republic (12/06/2019) Biggest defeat: 0-8Nigeria v. Norway (06/06/1995) Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Norway 8-0 Nigeria (06/06/1995)/USA 7-1 Nigeria (24/06/1999) Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Nigeria 3-3 Canada (08/06/1995)/Brazil 4-3 Nigeria (01/07/1999)/Sweden 3-3 Nigeria (08/06/2015) Most goals conceded in a match: 8 – Norway 8-0 Nigeria (06/06/1995) Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 1999 (4 matches) Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 1991 and 2003 (3 matches) Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 14 – 1995 (3 matches) Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2011 (3 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
Successive wins: 1 (four times) Successive defeats: 4 (three times) Successive draws: 1 (three times) Successive matches without a defeat: 2 (2011-2015) Successive matches without a win: 9 (1999-2011) Successive matches with a goal scored: 6 (1995-1999) Successive matches without scoring: 4 (1991-1995 and 2007-2011) Successive clean sheets: 1 (three times)
Canada team facts
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS
Overall record: P: 27 W: 8 D: 5 L: 14 F: 34 A: 52 GD: -18 Biggest win: 4-0Canada v. Ghana (15/09/2007) Biggest defeat: 0-7Canada v. Norway (08/08/1995) Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Norway 7-1 Canada (23/06/1999) Most goals scored in a match: 4 – Canada 4-0 Ghana (15/09/2007) Most goals conceded in a match: 7 – Norway 7-0 Canada (08/08/1995)/Norway 7-1 Canada (23/06/1999) Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 10 – 2003 (6 matches) Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 – 2011 (3 matches) Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 1995 (3 matches) Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2015 (5 matches)/2019 (4 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
Successive wins: 3 (2003) Successive defeats: 3 (three times) Successive draws: 2 (2015) Successive matches without a defeat: 4 (2015) Successive matches without a win: 7 (1995-2003) Successive matches with a goal scored: 12 (1999-2007) Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2011) Successive clean sheets: 2 (2015 and 2019)
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
- 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 Cup7 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup5 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers
- U20 FOOTBALL17 hours ago
Flying Eagles Bank on ‘Magic of October 8’ to overcome Argentina