WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Flamingos in Fiery Form as They Conclude World Cup Preparations in Abuja
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.
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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.
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Falconets Face Rwanda in World Cup Qualifier, Days After Eagles’ Back-to-Back Duels
Nigeria and Rwanda are set for another football showdown this weekend, this time at youth women’s level, as the Falconets begin their quest for a place at the 2025 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Just days after the Super Eagles’ back-to-back World Cup qualifying clashes with the Amavubi, Nigeria’s U20 women will test strength against their Rwandan counterparts on Sunday in Kigali. The second-round, first-leg fixture will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium, formerly Stade Regional de Nyamirambo.
Two-time World Cup silver medallists, Nigeria have been ever-present at the competition since its inception in 2002 and are determined to extend that record. The Falconets finished runners-up in 2010 in Germany and 2014 in Canada, losing both finals to Germany, who this time failed to qualify.
The Nigerian team is scheduled to depart for Kigali on Thursday. The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Sierra Leone and Liberia to handle the match, with Sierra Leone’s Aminata Fullah as referee and Liberian Love Tuu Wehyee serving as fourth official.
The return leg will be played in Nigeria later this month, with the aggregate winner progressing to the third round of qualifiers.
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Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, continued their preparation for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with back-to-back victories in friendly matches at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.
On Friday, 12th September 2025, the Flamingos overpowered Horvel Angels 2–0, with Chisom Nwachukwu pouncing on a goalkeeper error for the opener before Kaosara Olanrewaju sealed the win in the second half with a composed strike.
They followed it up on Saturday, 13th September 2025, with a resounding 5–0 triumph over Nazareth Angels. After a dominant first half, the Falconets raced to a 2-0 lead.
Itodore Destiny added a third shortly after the restart before Terlumu Tabitha and Chisom Nwachukwu completed the rout with fine finishes as the Flamingos showcased their attacking depth despite several missed chances.
The victories underline the team’s growing sharpness in front of goal and defensive discipline as they gear up for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup holding 17th October – 8th November in Morocco, where Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in Group D.
All players called up are currently in camp, giving head coach Bankole Olowookere a full complement of options as the technical crew look to fine-tune their squad for the tournament.
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