WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
This is Super Falcons’ chance for a third ever knock-out stage qualification
Eliminated Republic of Ireland meet Group B leaders Nigeria in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Monday.
While the Europeans are simply playing for pride, the African representatives need at least a draw to seal their qualification for the knockout stage.
Despite losing both of their matches so far in their debut campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Irish can take plenty of heart from their performances against Australia and Canada.
Katie McCabe’s fourth minute goal against Canada, their first ever in the tournament, got them off to a bright start in their last match before the Olympic champions mounted an impressive comeback to win 2-1. In what is their final game before they depart Australia & New Zealand 2023, Vera Pauw’s team will want to go out in style.
Nigeria are in pole position to progress from Group B and they know that even a draw will do the job. They were impressive in their 3-2 win over joint hosts Australia in their last match and will now look to seal their spot in the round of 16.
KEY FACTS
- Katie McCabe became the first player to score a FIFA Women’s World Cup goal for the Republic of Ireland when she opened the scoring against Canada.
- Nigeria are aiming to reach the knockout rounds at successive FIFA Women’s World Cup final tournaments for the first time. They previously qualified from their group in 1999 and 2019.
- Nigeria’s total of four points is their best start to a FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign after two matches. Their highest points total after three matches is six, which they achieved in 1999.
- A win or a draw would mean Nigeria are unbeaten in three successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches for the first time.
- If Nigeria qualify, they would become the first African nation to reach the knockout rounds on three occasions.
- Nigeria’s only previous win in 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European opposition was a 2 0 victory against Denmark in 1999.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play 2, Win 0, Draw 0, Lost 2, Goals For 1, Goals Against 3, Goal Difference: -2
- Biggest win: Nil
- Biggest defeat: Republic of Ireland 0-2. Australia (20/07/2023) and Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
- Highest scoring match: 3 goals – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
- Most goals scored in a match: 1 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 2 – Republic of Ireland 1-2 Canada (26/07/2023)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 1 (2023 – 2 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 (2023 – 2 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: Nil
- Successive defeats: 2 (2023-present)
- Successive draws: 0
- Successive matches without a defeat: 0
- Successive matches without a win: 2 (2023-present)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 1 (2023-present)
- Successive matches without scoring: 1 (2023)
- Successive clean sheets: 0
NIGERIA TEAM FACTS
- Overall record: Play28, Win 5, Draw 4, Lost 19, Goals For 23, Goals Against 65, Goal Difference -42
- Biggest win: 2-0Nigeria v. Denmark (27/06/1999)/2-0 Nigeria v. Korea Republic (12/06/2019)
- Biggest defeat: 0-8Nigeria v. Norway (06/06/1995)
- Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)/Nigeria 1-7 USA (24/06/1999)
- Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Nigeria 3-3 Canada (08/06/1995), Nigeria 3-4 Brazil, 01/07/1999), Nigeria 3-3 Sweden (08/06/2015)and Nigeria 3-2 Australia (27/07/2023)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 8 – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)
- Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 1999 (4 matches)
- Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 1991 and 2003 (3 matches)
- Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 14 – 1995 (3 matches)
- Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2011 (3 matches)
FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS
- Successive wins: 1 (five times, the last of which was 2023-present)
- Successive defeats: 4 (three times)
- Successive draws: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)
- Successive matches without a defeat: 2 (2011-2015, 2023-present)
- Successive matches without a win: 9 (1999-2011)
- Successive matches with a goal scored: 6 (1995-1999)
- Successive matches without scoring: 4 (1991-1995 and 2007-2011)
- Successive clean sheets: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)
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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