Flamingos Of Nigeria Beat Paraguay 3-2 To End World Cup Build-Up In Style

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, wrapped up their World Cup preparations with a spirited 3-2 win over Paraguay in Casablanca.

A statement from the NFF media team earlier today confirmed that coach Bankole Olowookere’s girls finished their 12th warm-up game in style, taking their total goals to 50 while conceding just six.

Flamingos’ match against Paraguay started at a blistering pace, and the Nigerian side wasted no time in stamping their authority. Barely two minutes in, goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface launched a long ball that found skipper Shakirat Moshood. She showed great awareness to lay it off for Mariam Yahaya, who calmly chipped the advancing Paraguayan keeper to make it 1-0.

Moshood nearly doubled the lead eight minutes later, but her shot flew just over the crossbar. The South Americans hit back in the 15th minute after a moment of hesitation in the Nigerian defence allowed them to level the score. For a brief spell, Paraguay took control, forcing Boniface into two fine saves as the Flamingos tried to settle back into rhythm.

Just before the break, the Nigerians restored their lead. A defensive slip from Paraguay was quickly punished by Yahaya, who grabbed her second of the night in the 44th minute.

Moments later, she completed her hat-trick, finishing off a beautiful pass from Kaosarat Olanrewaju to put Nigeria 3-1 up at halftime.

In the second half, the Flamingos continued to press forward, creating several chances through Ayomide Abubakar and Moshood. Substitute goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu came up big in the 69th minute, pulling off a crucial save to protect Nigeria’s two-goal cushion. Paraguay managed to pull one back late on, but the Flamingos held firm to seal a well-earned win.

With the Morocco training camp now behind them, the team will move to Rabat today to settle into their FIFA base ahead of the 2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup, which begins on October 17.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group D and will open their campaign against Canada on October 19, before facing France on October 22. Their final group match will come against Samoa on October 25.