Wiktoria Skrzypczak’s penalty and Natalia Skrok’s second-half goal put Poland ahead, and Oluebube Umejiaku’s late strike wasn’t enough for the Flamingos in Rabat.
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Nigeria’s Flamingos lost 2-1 to Poland in their opening Group B game at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat on Saturday. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, Oluebube Umejiaku scored a late consolation at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
Poland took the lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute, when Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted after a foul inside the box. Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho had saved the first effort, but a challenge on a Polish player chasing the rebound led to the spot-kick.
Natalia Skrok made it 2-0 in the 65th minute. Nigeria failed to clear a cross from Blanka Zajac, and Skrok fired home through a crowded penalty area. Poland had a goal ruled out for offside two minutes earlier.
Late Push From The Flamingos
Coach Akeem Busari made a double change in the 68th minute, sending on Umejiaku and Awawu Bashiru for captain Harmony Chidi and Mary Dunstan. The switch paid off in the 79th minute.
Kanyinsola Yusuf’s free kick caused problems in the Polish area, and the goal was officially credited to Umejiaku. It cut the deficit to 2-1 and gave Nigeria a final 10 minutes of pressure.
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Penalty Appeal And Group Picture
Nigeria appealed for a penalty in the 86th minute after an incident involving Kemi Adegbuyi, but the referee stuck with her original decision after a review.
The loss leaves Nigeria without a point in Group B. DPR Korea lead with three points after beating Puerto Rico 6-0, with Poland second on three.
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What Next For Nigeria
Nigeria face Puerto Rico on October 20, and then DPR Korea on October 23. Puerto Rico look the best chance of points, since the Caribbean side lost 6-0 to DPR Korea.
Is the group lost? Not yet, but there’s no margin for error. A win against Puerto Rico is essential, and the Flamingos must stop conceding from poor clearances like the one that led to Poland’s second goal.
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The Flamingos showed fight in the final 10 minutes, which gives Busari something to build on. The next two games will show whether they can turn that spirit into points.
📌 Did You Know?
- The match kicked off at 18:00 UTC, which was 7:00 p.m. in Nigeria.
- Puerto Rico are making their first appearance at a FIFA tournament.
- Poland reached the quarter finals at the 2024 World Cup, their first appearance in the competition.
- Poland qualified for this World Cup by beating England 2-0 in a UEFA play-off.
- FIFA named Nigeria captain Harmony Chidi as one of the players to watch in Group B.
