WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
Redemption or destruction: Zambia’s fate hang in the balance in Women’s World Cup clash with Spain
At 8.30am Nigerian time on Wednesday, Zambia will clash with Spain in an encounter that may decide their fate in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Spain and Zambia experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening matches of Group C as the European side produced their biggest-ever victory in the competition’s history with the 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. Zambia on the other hand, suffered a 0-5 loss to Japan.
Last week’s three-goal victory will give Spain a huge confidence boost as they come into their second match knowing another victory in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau will put them in pole position to reach the round of 16.
In their debut match in the competition, Zambia held Japan at bay for the majority of the first half but a goal just before half-time dented their morale and four second-half goals saw them suffer defeat in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup match.
They have played a number of friendlies against European opposition in the build-up to this tournament, including an excellent 3-2 win over Germany, and they will be looking to bounce back in positive fashion here.
Here are statistics ahead of the clash.
- Head-to-Head: Both are meeting for the first time ever.
Key facts
- Spain have kept a clean sheet in their last two FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches.
- With her goal against Costa Rica, Esther González became the oldest goalscorer for Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the age of 30 years and 225 days, claiming the record from Jennifer Hermoso (29 years and 46 days when she played against the USA in 2019).
- In Spain’s opening match, Salma Paralluelo became the youngest ever player to represent the nation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at 19 years and 250 days.
- Irene Paredes and Alexia Putellas are the only players to have featured in all of Spain’s previous eight FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (3-2015, 4-2019, 1-2023).
- Two of Zambia’s squad are attached to Spanish clubs: Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza CFF) and Racheal Kundananji (Madrid CFF).
SPAIN TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play8, Win 2, Draw 2, Lost 4, Goals For 9, Goals Against 8, Goal Difference: 1
- Biggest win: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (21/07/2023)
- Biggest defeat: Spain 0-1Brazil (13/06/2015); Spain 1-2 Korea Republic (17/06/2015), Spain 0-1 Germany (12/06/2019) and Spain 2-1 USA (24/06/2019)
- Highest scoring match: 4 goals – Spain 3-1 South Africa (08/06/2019)
- Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Spain 3-1 South Africa (08/06/2019), Spain 3-0 Costa Rica (21/07/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 2 – Korea Republic 2-1 Spain (17/06/2015), Spain 1-2 USA (24/06/2019)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2019 (4 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2015 (3 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (3 matches)/2019 (4 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 4 – 2015 (3 matches)/2019 (4 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: 1 (2019 and 2023-present)
- Successive defeats: 2 (2015)
- Successive draws: 1 (2015 and 2019)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 1 (four times, most recently 2023-present)
- Successive matches without a win: 3 (2015 and 2019)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 2 (2015-2019)
- Successive matches without scoring: 2 (2019)
- Successive clean sheets: 1 (2019 and 2023-present)
ZAMBIA TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play1, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 1, Goals For: 0, Goal Against: 5, Goal Difference: -5
- Biggest win: Nil
- Biggest defeat: Zambia 0-5Japan (22/07/2023)
- Highest scoring match:5 goals – Zambia 0-5 Japan (22/07/2023)
- Most goals scored in a match: 0
- Most goals conceded in a match: 5 – Zambia 0-5 Japan (22/07/2023)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 5 (2023 – 1 match)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 5 (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 Set for Morocco 2025 as Nigeria’s U-17s Depart Abuja for Final World Cup Preparations
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin the final leg of preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup scheduled to take place in Morocco.
The team will travel aboard Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic hub, where they will set up camp ahead of the tournament.
During their stay in Casablanca, the Flamingos will step up their build-up programme with two high-profile international friendlies — first against New Zealand on October 10, and then Paraguay on October 14.
Following their training camp, the team will move into the official FIFA hotel in Rabat on October 15, joining other participating nations as the countdown begins to the global showpiece.
Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will face Canada, France, and Samoa in what promises to be a competitive group. The Flamingos will begin their campaign against Canada on Sunday, October 19, before locking horns with France three days later.
Both matches will be played at the Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Nigerian time. Their final group match comes against Samoa on October 25, starting at 5 p.m., also in Sale.
Head Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side heads into the tournament brimming with confidence after a remarkable build-up.
The Flamingos have played 10 tune-up games, scoring an impressive 44 goals without conceding any, a record that highlights their attacking prowess and defensive discipline.
Olowookere has expressed optimism about his team’s readiness, noting that the squad’s balance and form give them belief they can surpass their quarter-final finish at the last edition in the Dominican Republic.
With a perfect preparation run and growing momentum, the Flamingos will be aiming to make history in Morocco and bring pride to Nigerian women’s football once again.
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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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