The 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup has officially kicked off in Morocco, marking the first occasion this esteemed youth tournament is hosted on African soil, according to Soccernet.ng.
One of the highlighted opening matches features Nigeria’s Flamingos facing Canada on Sunday evening at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé.
This tournament marks Nigeria’s eighth participation, with the team having twice reached the semifinals and achieving their best finish by securing third place in 2022.
Renowned as one of the most reliable teams in the competition, the West African side boasts an impressive record of 14 victories, seven draws, and seven losses across 28 matches.
Under the guidance of Coach Bankole Olowookere, the Flamingos enter the tournament brimming with confidence following a successful preparation period.
They remained unbeaten in several domestic friendlies and maintained their form internationally with two warm-up games: a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Paraguay and a narrow 4-3 loss to New Zealand. Olowookere’s squad is characterized by aggressive pressing, intricate passing sequences, and bold offensive strategies.
Following Morocco’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the tournament opener, Nigeria aims to start strongly, aware that a positive result against a well-organized Canadian side could set the tone for their Group D journey, which also features France and Samoa.
Canada returns to the U17 Women’s World Cup for their eighth time after missing the 2022 edition. Known for their disciplined tactics and physical style, the Canadians achieved their best finish by placing fourth in 2018. They enter this competition in strong form, having impressed at a four-nation invitational in Mexico, where they drew with both the USA and Mexico (winning one on penalties) and secured a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Path to Qualification
Nigeria is among five African nations to qualify for this year’s World Cup, alongside Morocco, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Zambia.
Nigeria Flamingos vs South Africa.” width=”750″ height=”500″ />During the African qualifying rounds, the Flamingos demonstrated their dominance with commanding performances:
- Second Round: Overcame South Africa 5-1 on aggregate (3-0 at home, 2-1 away).
- Third Round: Secured a 4-0 home victory against Algeria in Ikenne-Remo and held them to a goalless draw in Algiers.
The team’s qualification campaign was marked by a robust defense and incisive attack, conceding only one goal in four matches.
Canada earned their spot through the CONCACAF U17 Championship, topping Group B with wins over Panama, Puerto Rico, and Nicaragua, netting ten goals while conceding just two.
The Canadian team has a strong regional history, having claimed the CONCACAF title once (in 2010) and finishing in the top three in four of the last five tournaments.
Previous Encounters
This match will mark only the second time Nigeria and Canada face off in the U17 Women’s World Cup.
Their initial meeting occurred at the 2012 World Cup in Azerbaijan, ending in a 1-1 draw. Canada’s Amandine Pierre-Louis scored first, but Nigeria’s Chinwendu Ihezuo equalized with nine minutes remaining.
Nigeria topped that group on goal difference, highlighted by a record 11-0 win over hosts Azerbaijan, the largest margin in the tournament’s history.
Overall, Nigeria’s record against CONCACAF teams includes three wins, two draws, and one loss, with eight goals scored and five conceded. Canada remains unbeaten in five matches against African opponents, with three victories and two draws, also scoring eight and conceding five.
Squad Updates
Nigeria will miss one of their key forwards, Chidi Harmony, sidelined due to injury. Harmony was a standout in the 2024 campaign, netting one of the tournament’s most memorable goals.
In Harmony’s absence, captain Shakirat Moshood is expected to lead the offensive charge.
Moshood was a key figure during last year’s tournament in the Dominican Republic, scoring four goals in the group stage alone. She has since earned a nomination for the CAF Young Player of the Year award and will be pivotal to Nigeria’s ambitions in Morocco.
The squad also features talented players such as goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface, defenders Azeezat Oduntan and Christiana Sunday, midfielders Muinat Rotimi and Zainab Raji, and forwards Chisom Nwachukwu and Mariam Yahaya.
Canada’s roster blends promising young talents and emerging stars. Six players currently hold Youth Development permits with clubs in the Northern Super League, reflecting the country’s expanding domestic development system. Notable names include goalkeeper Olivia Busby (Halifax Tides FC), defenders Naomi Lofthouse (Ottawa Rapid FC) and Bridget Mutipula (Vancouver Rise FC), and forward Melisa Kekic (AFC Toronto).
Additionally, four players are making their national team debuts, while two dual nationals with the United States add further depth and flexibility to the squad.
Match Information
- Event: 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup (Group D)
- Fixture: Nigeria vs Canada
- Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
- Location: Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, Morocco
- Kick-off: 5:00 pm Nigerian Time
Forecast and Betting Insights
Nigeria’s technical skill and attacking prowess position them as slight favorites, yet Canada’s structured defense and physicality will challenge the Flamingos’ composure. Both teams have demonstrated resilience, suggesting a closely contested match.
Expect Nigeria to control possession, apply intense pressure, and exploit gaps behind Canada’s defense through the speed of Moshood and Yahaya. Canada will likely depend on a compact defensive formation and swift counterattacks.
- Predicted Result: Nigeria 2-1 Canada
- Betting Suggestion: Both teams to score – Yes; Nigeria to win or draw (Double chance)