It is make-or-mar for the Nigerians and the New Zealanders on Friday, as a win for one would see the other exit the Mundial
Nigeria’s u-17 women’s national team will aim to garner their first points of the FIFA u17 Women’s World Cup when they trade tackles with New Zealand on Friday, October 14, at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa.
The Flamingos lost their opening match of the tournament on Tuesday after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Germany on Tuesday.
Impressive fullback Miracle Usani fired the coach Bankole Olowookere-tutored side in front in the encounter off a fierce first-half free-kick.
But the Germans fought back after the interval to power to victory and claimed all three points.
New Zealand had it a bit worse on the same day, as the Oceania representatives suffered a 3-1 humbling at the hands of Chile.
The only teams without a point in Group B, Nigeria and New Zealand, know that another defeat in India will mean an early exit from the seventh edition of the World Cup.
Head-to-head
Exiting the World Cup at the group stage is not new to Nigeria and New Zealand.
At the first edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, incidentally hosted by New Zealand in 2008, the hosts crashed out early after losses to Canada and Denmark and a win over Colombia.
Nigeria did not fare any better either, as the Flamingos bade the tournament bye following a 1-0 loss to England, a 2-2 draw with Brazil, and a 2-1 triumph over South Korea.
Nigeria’s clash against New Zealand in Goa will, however, be the first meeting between the two countries at this level.
Match details
Competition: FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, India 2022
Match: Nigeria vs. New Zealand
Date: October 14, 2022
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Goa
Kickoff time: 12.30pm Nigeria time
Prediction
Currently sitting in third place in Group B, the Flamingos could climb to second ahead of the final matches of the pool if they outwit New Zealand by two goals and Germany overcome Chile in the second group match at the same Fatorda Stadium.
Tip: Nigeria to win
