It was another night of heartbreak for Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, as the Flamingos fell 1–0 to France in their second Group D fixture at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
For long spells, it was a match defined by grit and defiance, until Maïssa Fathallah’s late strike in the 81st minute broke Nigerian hearts and handed the 2012 champions a hard-fought victory at the Marrakech Stadium in Morocco.
With the result, France booked their spot in the knockout round, while Nigeria’s survival hopes now hang by a thread, dependent on a heavy win over Samoa in their final group game.
Here are the major takeaways from a tense night in Marrakech.
Bankole Olowookere’s loyalty is tested by a repeat lineup
After the 4–1 opening-day defeat to Can
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