Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, saw their remarkable 10-match unbeaten run come to an end on Saturday following a dramatic 4-3 defeat to New Zealand in Casablanca.

The encounter marked the team’s first loss in 11 warm-up games ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. Despite the setback, coach Bankole Olowookere’s side impressed with moments of attacking flair that will strengthen their confidence heading into the tournament.

The Flamingos began on the front foot, pressing high and dictating the early play. Their efforts were rewarded in the 13th minute, when Queen Joseph finished coolly after a clever through ball split the defense.

New Zealand drew level in the 25th minute through Laura Bennett, scoring the first goal Nigeria had conceded in their pre-tournament series. However, team captain Shakirat Moshood restored Nigeria’s lead with a thunderous long-range effort in the 42nd minute, sending the Flamingos into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

The second half delivered end-to-end excitement. Joseph came close to extending the lead, hitting the post, before Bennett completed her hat-trick with strikes in the 55th and 74th minutes, turning the game in New Zealand’s favor at 3-2.

Nigeria fought back through Ayo’s powerful drive, leveling the score once more, but Candy Sienna’s brilliant 80th-minute goal sealed the win for the Kiwis in a thrilling contest.

With this result, the Flamingos have now scored 47 goals and conceded only 8 across their last 11 matches. The team will next face Paraguay in another preparatory fixture before heading to Rabat, where they will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 19 against Canada.