Flamingos Fall 4–3 to New Zealand in Casablanca Friendly Ahead of U‑17 World Cup

Nigeria’s U‑17 women’s side, the Flamingos, suffered a narrow 4–3 loss to New Zealand in a friendly match played on Friday in Casablanca, Morocco.

The game formed part of the Flamingos’ final warm‑up ahead of the FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup.  Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Queen Joseph finished off a slick passing move.  Moments later, New Zealand retaliated, but the Flamingos re‑established a lead just before half‑time when Shakirat Moshood unleashed a powerful long‑range strike to make it 2–1.

The second half proved chaotic. New Zealand’s Laura Bennett netted a hat‑trick to swing momentum in her team’s favour.  Late in the match, Nigeria refused to lie down: substitute Ayo found the equaliser to make it 3–3. But with about ten minutes left, Candy Sienna capitalised on a defensive slip to slot home the decisive fourth goal for the visitors.

The defeat ended the Flamingos’ 11‑match unbeaten run, during which they scored 47 goals and conceded just four. Head coach Bankole Olowookore was expected to use lessons from this outing to fine‑tune tactics before Nigeria’s final warm‑up against Paraguay and the World Cup campaign proper.

Editorial

We view this result as a necessary wake‑up call more than a disaster. To lose 4–3 in a friendly is painful, especially with the U‑17 World Cup looming, but it also provides a rich seam of lessons to mine. In preparation, we must absorb the insights rather than shy away from the sting.

Flamingos showed spark, ambition and resilience leading twice, recovering to make it 3–3 but were ultimately undone by lapses at critical moments. It is in those fragile windows that character shows itself. The defensive cohesion that must carry them through group games remains a work in progress.

We urge the coaching staff to take this match apart, minute by minute. Where were the breakdowns? Which transitions were poorly managed? How did fatigue or positional gaps play a role in conceding the hat‑trick and the decisive strike? Tactical adjustments perhaps in defensive shape, press timing, and substitution strategy must be sharpened now.

We also emphasise mental strength. Young players may find the pressure of a friendly sting more acutely when World Cup goals loom. It is essential they channel frustration into focus. The capacity to bounce back quickly, to internalise feedback without jealously carrying it forward, is as vital as technical skill.

We stand by the belief that this setback, handled well, can become a stepping stone. If the Flamingos treat it as a diagnostic tool rather than a defeat, they can enter Rabat more battle‑hardened. The next few days are crucial let this performance fuel better discipline, sharper resolve, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Did You Know?

1. Before this match, the Flamingos had gone 11 matches unbeaten, scoring 47 goals while conceding only four.
2. Laura Bennett, the New Zealand forward, accounted for three of her team’s four goals, securing a hat‑trick in the friendly.
3. Queen Joseph opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 13th minute after a well worked team move.
4. The Flamingos’ prior warm‑up opponent scheduled after this game is Paraguay, before they depart for the World Cup.
5. The U‑17 Women’s World Cup in which Nigeria will participate is based in Rabat, with the Flamingos slated to contest Group D (against Canada, France, and Samoa).