Flamingoes sent packing from U-17 Women's World Cup by Italy

It was an unfortunate exit from the 2025 U-17 Women's World Cup for Nigeria's Flamingoes, as they fell to a 4-0 battering at the hands of Italy.

The Flamingoes struggled to pick up just three points in the group stages, with a final-day win against Samoa coming after back-to-back losses to Canada and France. However, they made it to the Round of 16 as one of the best losers.

Italy was definitely a tough test for the Flamingoes, but ahead of the game, head coach Bankole Olowookere stated that his girls were not ready to come back home and would put up the necessary fight. However, Italy had other plans.

Coach Bankole stuck with the side that walloped Samoa 4-0 in their final group-stage fixture, as he looked to build on that victory against Italy.

The Flamingoes started the game on the back foot, having to defend Italy's attacking threat, but eventually began to create chances of their own, which culminated in shots on target.

Before the end of the first half, Italy took the lead.

It was Anna Copelli who got the first goal for the Italians with her left-footed drive to beat Sylvia Echefu from a long way out.

Terlumun Nguemo thought she had scored the equaliser in the 54th minute, but her goal was overruled for a foul in the buildup.

Four minutes later, Caterina Venturelli doubled Italy's advantage with a well-floated ball that looped beyond Sylvia Echefu once again.

Giulia Robino netted the third for Italy just five minutes after the second, with a free kick from a long way out, beating Nigeria's wall and giving Echefu no chance.

On the stroke of 90 minutes, Rachele Giuduci finished off the win for Italy with a timely finish at the near post.

This result now means that the Flamingoes have conceded nine goals and scored just five in four games at the U-17 Women's World Cup, and their tournament now ends with a Round of 16 exit.

Head coach Bankole Olowookere described the defeat as painful, but not without lessons learned by his girls.

"Honestly, it's quite painful. We came into the game with the mindset of doing something special, making sure that we win and progress to the next stage. Unfortunately, we held the game for 44 minutes before the painful goal came in, and it all squandered in the second half."

"It's one of those things. The players gained a lot of experience — going to the World Cup, meeting many other nations and players altogether. Those experiences go a long way to help their careers and make them superstars in the future," he said, as quoted by FIFA.