BY ADETOUN SHAKIRAT MOTUNRAYO
After a painful 4–1 defeat to Canada in their opening Group D fixture, Nigeria’s U17 girls find themselves fighting for survival against a confident French side that kicked off their campaign with a strong 4–2 win over Samoa.
This fixture is more than just a group match, as there is history and something at stake for the Flamingos. The last time Nigeria met France at this tournament was 13 years ago, in Azerbaijan, where both sides played out a tense 0–0 draw in regulation time before France edged Nigeria 5–3 on penalties to advance from the quarter-finals.
That memory lingers, and for many, this feels like unfinished business. Nigeria enter tomorrow’s match bottom of the table with zero points and a minus three goal difference, meaning defeat could mathematically end their World Cup journey. At minimum, a draw is essential, but a win would flip the entire narrative heading into the final group match against Samoa.
France play with speed, fluidity and dominant structure. Their 4–2 win over Samoa was ruthless. Nigeria showed flashes of brilliance against Canada, scoring once, but defensive lapses haunted them badly.
Coach Bankole Olowookere’s team must correct their transitions, stay compact, and rediscover their mental steel, as this is no longer about tactics alone, but also about character.
At the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 1), 8pm in Rabat, the Flamingos won’t just be playing France, they’ll be playing for belief, redemption, and survival.
