Nigeria’s U17 girls’s nationwide crew, the Flamingos, suffered their first defeat in 11 matches after dropping 4–3 to New Zealand in an exciting worldwide pleasant on Friday in Casablanca, Morocco.
The encounter was a part of the crew’s last preparations for the FIFA U17 Ladies’s World Cup, set to kick off later this month in Rabat.
The younger Nigerians began brightly and took the lead within the thirteenth minute by Queen Joseph, who completed off an excellent by ball after a sweeping crew transfer.
New Zealand responded quickly after, however the Flamingos regained their benefit earlier than halftime when Shakirat Moshood fired dwelling a strong long-range effort to make it 2–1.
The second half produced end-to-end soccer, with New Zealand’s Laura Bennett turning the sport on its head. The ahead scored a sensational hat-trick to offer her aspect a 3–2 lead.
Nigeria fought again admirably, and substitute Ayo equalised with a advantageous strike halfway by the half to make it 3–3.
Nonetheless, with ten minutes remaining, New Zealand discovered the decisive aim by Sweet Sienna, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to fit previous the Nigerian goalkeeper and seal a memorable 4–3 win for the Oceania aspect.
Regardless of the defeat, the Flamingos’ general kind stays spectacular. The loss ended their 11-match unbeaten streak, throughout which they scored 47 targets and conceded simply 4.
Head coach Bankole Olowookere is anticipated to make use of the teachings from the match to fine-tune his squad’s ways forward of their World Cup opener.
The Flamingos will now face Paraguay of their last warm-up sport earlier than jetting off to Rabat, the place they are going to proceed their quest for glory on the FIFA U17 Ladies’s World Cup.
