WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

A match Nigerians are keen for as Canada play Ireland

Published

2 years ago

July 25, 2023

Nigerians both in Australia and elsewhere will watch with keen interest the Group B clash of Canada and Republic of Ireland.

Both teams come into this crunch Group B clash in Perth/Boorloo knowing that a victory is vital to their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Canada were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria in their opening match, in which they were left to rue Christine Sinclair’s penalty miss.

With joint-hosts Australia awaiting in their third group contest, the Canadians are well aware that three points are essential in this one if they are to advance to the knockout stage for a third consecutive tournament.

Debutantes the Republic of Ireland went down 1-0 to Australia in their curtain-raiser, despite producing a valiant display. The Girls in Green competed extremely well, with the co-hosts’ goal coming from the penalty spot, while they showed plenty of attacking threat, and their nine attempts at goal will give them confidence ahead of this encounter.

Here are statistics ahead of the clash.

Last meeting:12/03/2014, Canada 2-1 Republic of Ireland, Women’s Cyprus Cup 2014, GSP Stadium, Nicosia (Cyprus)
Key facts: Canada have lost only one of their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches (W3 D3 L1).
Against Nigeria, Canada’s Christine Sinclair became the second-oldest player to feature at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, at the age of 40 years and 39 days. The oldest player to make an appearance in FIFA Women’s World Cup history is Brazil’s Formiga, who lined up against France in 2019 aged 41 years and 112 days.
Canada have kept five clean sheets in their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup groupstage outings.
Canada kept a clean sheet in each of their first two matches in the last two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Against Australia, Abbie Larkin became the youngest-ever player to represent the Republic of Ireland at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 18 years and 84 days. She is the only teenager in Vera Pauw’s squad.

CANADA TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play28, Win 8, Draw 6, Lost 14, Goals For: 34, Goals Against:52, Goal Difference: -18
Biggest win: Canada 4-0Ghana (15/09/2007)
Biggest defeat: Canada 0-7. Norway (08/08/1995)
Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Canada 1-7 Norway (23/06/1999)
Most goals scored in a match: 4 – Canada 4-0 Ghana (15/09/2007)
Most goals conceded in a match: 7 – Canada 0-7 Norway (08/08/1995)/Canada 1-7 Norway (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 and 2019-present)
Successive clean sheets: 2 (2015 and 2019)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM FACTS

Overall record: Play1, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 1, Goals For: 0, Goals Against: 1, Goal Difference: -1
Biggest win: Nil
Biggest defeat: 0-1 Republic of Ireland v. Australia (20/07/2023)
Highest scoring match: 1 goal – Republic of Ireland 0-1 Australia (20/07/2023)
Most goals scored in a match: 0
Most goals conceded in a match: 1 – Republic of Ireland 0-1 Australia (20/07/2023)
Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 (2023 – 1 match)
Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 (2023 – 1 match)
Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 1 match)
Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 1 match)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

Successive wins: 0
Successive defeats: 1 (2023-present)
Successive draws: 0
Successive matches without a defeat: 0
Successive matches without a win: 1 (2023-present)
Successive matches with a goal scored: 0
Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023-present) Successive clean sheets: 0

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Flamingos’ Knockout Hopes Fade After 1–0 Loss to France

Published

2 days ago

October 22, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s U-17 girls, the Flamingos, saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco dim on Wednesday night following a narrow 1–0 defeat to France — their second loss in as many games.

The match began cautiously, with both teams showing defensive discipline and creating limited opportunities in the first half. Nigeria registered four attempts at goal compared to France’s three, though neither side could find a breakthrough.

The Flamingos came close in the first half when Chisom Nwachukwu’s superb free-kick was tipped over the bar by French goalkeeper Chevray Lauryne. Nigeria’s best chance arrived in the 50th minute when Queen Joseph’s corner found Nwachukwu again, but her close-range shot was brilliantly saved by Lauryne.

France nearly took the lead in the 62nd minute after Nigerian goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface misjudged a charge, leaving the goal open. However, defender Jumai Adebayo’s crucial goal-line clearance kept the score level.

The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Maissa Fathallah’s low drive beat Boniface to hand France all three points.

With the defeat, Nigeria remains without a point after two matches and faces Samoa in their final group game — a must-win encounter if the Flamingos are to keep their faint qualification hopes alive.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Flamingos Battle France for Survival After Opening Defeat to Canada

Published

3 days ago

October 21, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Shakirat Moshood

After a disappointing 4–1 loss to Canada in their opening Group D fixture, Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, face a crucial test of character when they take on France in their second group match of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday night in Rabat.

The French side began their campaign in dominant fashion, defeating Samoa 4–2, and now pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. For the Flamingos, anything short of a win could spell the end of their World Cup journey.

This encounter carries historical weight. The last time both nations met at this tournament was 13 years ago in Azerbaijan, where they played out a goalless draw in regulation time before France triumphed 5–3 on penalties to reach the semi-finals. For Nigeria, that painful memory remains, and Tuesday’s clash offers a chance for long-awaited redemption.

Currently bottom of Group D with zero points and a -3 goal difference, the Flamingos know that defeat would eliminate them mathematically. A draw might keep faint hopes alive, but a victory would completely revive their campaign ahead of the final group game against Samoa.

Coach Bankole Olowookere will be urging his girls to tighten their defense and sharpen their transitions after costly errors against Canada. While Nigeria showed attacking intent and managed a goal in their opener, lapses at the back proved decisive.

France, known for their pace, tactical discipline, and fluid attacking play, will start as favorites. However, Nigeria’s young talents are determined to defy the odds and restore national pride.

Kick-off is set for 8:00 p.m. local time at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1) in Rabat. For the Flamingos, this match is not just about points—it’s about belief, redemption, and survival.

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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Double Blow for Nigeria as Flamingos Fall 4-1 to Canada at U17 Women’s World Cup

Published

5 days ago

October 19, 2025

Kunle Solaja

It was a grim Sunday for Nigerian football as the country suffered two major defeats within hours.

Barely after Remo Stars were thrashed 5-1 by South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League, the national U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, fell 4-1 to Canada in their opening match of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Group D encounter, played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Salé, near Rabat, saw the Canadians dominate proceedings, particularly in the second half.

Canada took the lead as early as the second minute when Molly Hale made a strong run down the left flank before Gabriela Istocki finished off her cross to put the North Americans ahead.

The Flamingos, however, responded well. They took control of the midfield, with captain Shakirat Moshood testing goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse with a long-range drive in the 9th minute and firing another effort just over the bar four minutes later.

Nigeria’s persistence paid off on the half hour mark when Cisse failed to hold on to a shot from Kaosarat Olanrewaju, allowing Queen Joseph to bundle in the rebound for the equalizer.

After the break, the Flamingos started brightly, with Chisom Nwachukwu troubling the Canadian defence, but their momentum waned as the match wore on. In the 73rd minute, substitute Melisa Kekic restored Canada’s lead with a composed finish past Elizabeth Boniface.

Goalkeeper Boniface’s error in the 80th minute allowed another substitute, Julia Amireh, to make it 3-1 before Amireh struck again six minutes later, outpacing the Nigerian defence to slot in Canada’s fourth goal.

The result leaves Nigeria bottom of Group D after the first round of matches. The Flamingos will hope to revive their campaign when they face France on Wednesday evening.

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