Nigeria’s Flamingos lost 2-1 to Germany in their opening game at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Pandit Jawaharlal Stadium, Goa on Tuesday.
The Germans took the game to the Flamingos in the opening minutes but were unable to carve out any real scoring opportunity.
Despite the Germans dominance, it was the Flamingos, who came close to scoring the opening goal of the game.
Opeyemi Ajakaye’s fantastic strike from inside the box on 17 minutes hit the woodwork.
Goalkeeper Faith Omilana produced a fine save to deny the Germans from close range on 27 minutes.
The Flamingos took the lead from a free-kick on the half hour mark through Miracle Usani.
The Nigerian girls headed into the half-time break with their lead intact despite spirited effort to level scores by the Germans.
Svea Stold equalised for Germany five minutes after the break.
The pattern of play continued afterwards with the Europeans tormenting the Flamingos defence.
The pressure paid off with Mara Alber netting her side’s second goal on 61 minutes.
The Flamingos pushed forward in search of an equaliser but the Germans held firmly to their lead until the end of the game.
Bankole Olowookere’s girls will face New Zealand in their next game on Friday.
