Nigeria to face Paraguay, New Zealand as Flamingos target new Africa mark at U20 World Cup

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will step up their final preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with two crucial friendly matches against fellow qualifiers New Zealand and Paraguay, Soccernet.ng reports.

The young Nigerian side will take on New Zealand on October 10 before facing Paraguay four days later, in what will serve as their final test ahead of the global showpiece.

Both matches will be staged in Casablanca, where the team will camp before moving to Rabat for the tournament proper.

New Zealand and Paraguay, who are both in Group F with Zambia and Japan, have been consistent participants at the U-17 World Cup.

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Paraguay have never advanced beyond the group phase, while New Zealand’s best finish came in 2018 when they clinched bronze. Nigeria, Africa’s top performers in the tournament’s history, achieved a third-place finish in 2022, equalling Ghana’s 2012 feat.

Head coach Bankole Olowookere will hope his side can go even further this year and make history by becoming the first African team to reach the final.

The Flamingos are unbeaten in 10 tune-up games so far, scoring 44 goals and conceding none, a record that highlights both their attacking fluency and defensive discipline.

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U-17 World Cup: Flamingos depart Abuja for Morocco

The Nigerian delegation has departed Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, aboard Royal Air Maroc, en route to Casablanca.

They will spend a week in the Moroccan city before checking into FIFA’s official hotel in Rabat on October 15.

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Nigeria have been drawn in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa. The Flamingos will kick off their campaign against Canada on October 19, face France on October 22, and round off the group stage against Samoa on October 25. All these matches are set for the Football Academy Mohammed VI complex in Sale.

This year’s tournament will feature 24 teams for the first time, including five African representatives: hosts Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, and Ghana.

Olowookere’s side will aim to replicate the discipline, pace, and tactical balance that have defined their preparation phase.

With an exciting blend of flair and structure, the Flamingos carry not just Nigeria’s hopes but also Africa’s ambition to finally break new ground on the world stage.