Nigeria’s Flamingos Fly Past Paraguay In Thrilling 3-2 Win Before World Cup Kickoff

According to Ireporter Online, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, wrapped up their World Cup preparations in impressive fashion with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Paraguay in Casablanca.

A statement from the Nigeria Football Federation’s media department confirmed that Coach Bankole Olowookere’s young side concluded their 12th preparatory match on a high, scoring a total of 50 goals and conceding only six throughout their warm-up fixtures.

The match began at a high tempo, with the Nigerian girls quickly asserting dominance. Barely two minutes into play, goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface’s long pass found captain Shakirat Moshood, who cleverly set up Mariam Yahaya. Yahaya displayed composure beyond her years, delicately chipping the ball past the Paraguayan goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Moshood almost doubled the advantage shortly after, but her strike narrowly missed the target. Paraguay capitalized on a brief lapse in Nigeria’s defence in the 15th minute to draw level and temporarily took control of the match, forcing Boniface into two crucial saves.

However, the Flamingos regained momentum just before halftime. A defensive error by Paraguay was swiftly punished as Yahaya pounced to net her second goal in the 44th minute. Moments later, the prolific forward completed her hat-trick, converting a fine pass from Kaosarat Olanrewaju to give Nigeria a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the break.

The second half saw the Flamingos maintain their attacking flair, with Ayomide Abubakar and Moshood coming close to extending the lead. Substitute goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu made a vital save in the 69th minute to preserve the advantage. Although Paraguay reduced the deficit late in the game, the Nigerian girls held their ground to secure a deserved win.

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

Nigeria, drawn in Group D, will begin their campaign against Canada on October 19, face France on October 22, and conclude the group stage against Samoa on October 25.