2025 U-17 Women’s World Cup: thrashed by Italy, Nigeria knocked out
Beaten 4-0 by Italy in the round of 16, the young Nigerian players leave the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with regrets, but also the promise of a better future according to their coach Bankole Olowookere.
The coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, did not hide his disappointment after his team’s elimination in the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Nigerians were heavily beaten 4-0 by Italy on Tuesday night in Rabat.
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Despite an encouraging start and several clear chances, the young Nigerians paid dearly for their lack of efficiency in front of goal. A goal was even ruled out for offside after a VAR review, before the Italians ultimately took control.
At full time, Olowookere expressed his bitterness at this early exit: « Honestly, it’s quite painful. We went into this match with the goal of achieving something exceptional, of winning and of qualifying for the next round, he said, quoted by FIFA.com.
Unfortunately, we held the score for 44 minutes before conceding that painful goal, and everything fell apart in the second half. That’s how it is. »
Despite the defeat, the Flamingos leave the competition with reasons for hope, having shown some fine passages of play and a promising potential for the future of Nigerian women’s football.