Nigeria Vs France: Match Preview, Date, Kick off Time Ahead of FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Game

Nigeria Vs France: Match Preview, Date, Kick off Time Ahead of FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Game 

By Admin 

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, Flamingos will face a stern test on Wednesday as they take on France in a pivotal Group D fixture at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Following a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Canada in their opening match, the Flamingos are under pressure to produce a positive result against one of Europe’s strongest youth teams. Anything less than a draw could severely damage their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

Despite the heavy loss to Canada, coach Bankole Olowookere’s side showed flashes of promise in attack, registering 17 shots and creating several opportunities. However, defensive lapses and poor decision-making in key moments proved costly, exposing the team’s vulnerability at the back.

Olowookere is expected to demand greater tactical discipline from his players, especially in defence, where the Canadians consistently exploited open spaces. He may consider a more conservative approach to counter France’s speed and structured pressing.

Team captain Shakirat Moshood will be tasked with anchoring the midfield and linking defence with attack. In goal, Elizabeth Boniface remains a crucial figure after making several important saves despite conceding four times in the opener. Forwards Nwachukwu and Olanrewaju will also be key in unlocking France’s backline, having shown creativity and energy in their previous outing.

France, meanwhile, head into the tie in confident mood following a 4-2 victory over Samoa. With a blend of tactical discipline and attacking flair, the French squad are considered among the title contenders. Their pace in transition and ability to stretch defences could pose a major threat to the Flamingos if Nigeria fails to remain compact and focused.

Olowookere may opt for early substitutions to maintain intensity throughout the match, especially after his team appeared to fade physically in the latter stages of the loss to Canada.

For Nigeria, the stakes are high. A win could reignite their World Cup hopes and morale, while another defeat would likely end their tournament journey prematurely. France, on the other hand, will be aiming to secure back-to-back victories and tighten their grip on top spot in Group D.

Match Details:

Fixture: Nigeria vs France

Tournament: 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Group: D

Date: Wednesday, October 22

Kickoff Time: 5:00 PM (Nigerian Time)