France head coach Mickael Ferreira has praised both his players and their Nigerian counterparts after Les Bluettes sealed a tense 1-0 victory over the Flamingos at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco on Wednesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
A late strike from Maissa Fathallah in the 81st minute proved decisive, sending France into the knockout rounds and leaving Nigeria’s hopes hanging by a thread.
Speaking after the game, Ferreira lauded his players for responding to the fierce challenge posed by the Nigerians.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match. This Nigerian team is very committed, very united, very brave,” Ferreira told FIFA.com.
“We knew we had to rise to that challenge, to that individual and collective battle. And the girls responded really well. I’m very happy with what they produced in that regard.”
The French coach’s words captured the intensity of a contest that balanced physical duels with tactical discipline.
Both teams were cautious for long spells, with chances at a premium. Nigeria’s Chisom Nwachukwu twice tested goalkeeper Chevray Lauryne, while France struggled to find space against the Flamingos’ compact defensive line.
Yet, for all of Nigeria’s grit, another lapse of concentration late in the game proved costly, a recurring theme in their tournament so far.
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Nigeria’s Olowookere: ‘It was painful, heartbreaking’
Nigeria’s head coach Bankole Olowookere cut a disconsolate figure after the match, describing the result as both ‘unfortunate and painful.’
“The game we played against France was much better than the one against Canada,” Olowookere said.
“If we had shown the same kind of fight in that first game, I don’t think we’d be in the situation we’re in now. It was really unfortunate to concede that late goal, it was painful, heartbreaking even.”
The Flamingos entered the tie desperate to recover from their opening 4-1 defeat to Canada, but despite an improved defensive shape and higher intensity, they fell to the same outcome. It is a defeat that leaves them bottom of Group D with zero points and a -4 goal difference.
Nigeria’s defensive vulnerability was once again exposed, even after a crucial goal-line clearance from Jumai Adebayo had earlier kept them in the contest.
Now, with France and Canada leading the group on six points apiece, the Flamingos must beat debutants Samoa convincingly on Saturday to keep their faint hopes alive.
Under the tournament’s expanded 24-team format, the best four third-placed teams qualify for the knockout rounds, meaning goal difference could be Nigeria’s last lifeline.