Nigeria U17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, lost 2–1 to Poland in their opening Group B match of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Poland scored once in each half to secure the win, despite a late fightback from the Flamingos, who pulled a goal back but could not find an equaliser at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco.
Head coach Akeem Busari started Jane Ijirigho in goal, with Elizabeth Adesuyi, Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday and Esther Stephen in defence. Mary Dunstan, Favour Nkwocha and Tosin Rafiu formed the midfield, while captain Harmony Chidi, Queen Joseph and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi led the attack.
Adegbuyi tested Poland goalkeeper Hanna Buchta in the 18th minute, but Poland took the lead in the 33rd minute when Wiktoria Skrzypczak converted a penalty after Sunday was penalised for a foul inside the box. VAR reviewed the incident before the penalty was awarded, while Sunday received a yellow card.
Natalia Skrok doubled Poland’s lead in the 65th minute, finishing Blanka Zajac’s assist. Busari responded with four substitutions, introducing Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 68th minute, followed by Kanyinsola Yusuf and Precious Oscar in the 78th.
The changes paid off as Yusuf set up fellow substitute Umejiaku to pull one back for Nigeria in the 79th minute. However, the Flamingos could not find an equaliser despite late pressure, while a VAR check for a possible penalty in the 86th minute resulted in no spot-kick.
Nigeria will face Puerto Rico on October 20 before taking on defending champions DPR Korea three days later.
In the other Group B fixture, DPR Korea thrashed Puerto Rico 6–0. Elsewhere, hosts Morocco beat New Zealand 4–0, while Germany edged Argentina 2–1 in Group A.
Image: FIFA
