Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, the Flamingos, will arrive at this month’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco as one of the tournament’s most in-form sides after an extraordinary build-up in Abuja, Soccernet.ng reports.
In eight friendly matches, the girls have won every single one, rattling in 26 goals without conceding.
It’s a record that has lit up their camp and raised expectations back home ahead of group-stage clashes with Canada, France and Samoa.
The run has been as ruthless as it has been assured.
Queen Joseph has emerged as a standout forward, grabbing a 35-minute hat-trick against Horvel Prime and a double in a 5–0 dismantling of Nazareth Angels.
Praise Agba, Chisom Nwachukwu, and captain Shakirat Moshood have all chipped in with important goals, while goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu has been a wall between ...s, preserving a perfect defensive record.
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Last week alone showed the team’s balance. They brushed aside Abuja All-Stars 3–0 with goals from Agba, Olamide Olanrewaju and Zainab Raji, before grinding through a rain-hit match against Josiah Academy, where Nwachukwu struck twice early to settle nerves. The Flamingos have shown they can blow opponents away with flair but also manage tight contests.
Nigeria’s pedigree at this level is growing. Having reached the quarterfinals in three of their first four appearances (2010, 2012, 2014), they smashed through that barrier in 2022 by defeating the USA on penalties. They followed up with another quarterfinal run last year and now, armed with momentum and belief, they look primed for another step forward.
The squad departs for Morocco on 8 October, with the tournament running from 17 October to 8 November.
Canada and France will start as favourites in Group D, but Nigeria’s flawless preparation makes them a dangerous dark horse.
The Flamingos’ first battle is against Canada on October 19 before they square up with France three days later. Nigeria will wrap up their group stage adventure on October 25 against Samoa, who are making their debut at the tournament.