Nigeria’s Flamingos kicked off their 2022 U17 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-2 loss to Germany in a group B game played at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, India.
Miracle Usani put the Flamingos ahead in the 30th minute off a free kickat the edge of the box as her grounder beat Eve Bottcher, and the West Africans were brilliant enough to maintain the lead till halftime.
The Germans five minutes into the second half got their equaliser from a well-worked corner kick through Svea Stold, as goalkeeper Faith Omilana after making a number of saves was beaten from five yards.
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The Nigerian team coached by Bankole Olowookere after their impressive outing in the first half could not match the pace of the Germans for the better part of the second half.
The European champions got the match winner in the 61st minute off a counter attack as Annaleen Bohler waltzed her way through the midfield before laying a pass for Mara Albar, whose first-time grounder caught Omilana helpless for the second time in the game.
Save for the sheer brilliance of Omilana, the Flamingos would have recorded a wide goal margin defeat as she also made another save from an Albar shot two minutes later to keep her side in the game.
Germany completed a comeback win in the opening game in India.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s next game holds on Friday at 12pm against New Zealand.