Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, concluded their World Cup build-up with a hard-fought 3–2 win over Paraguay in Casablanca on Tuesday.
The match got off to a perfect start for the Nigerian side just two minutes in when goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface sent a long ball forward to Shakirat Moshood, who provided a smart assist for Mariam Yahaya to lob the Paraguayan goalkeeper for the opener.
Paraguay equalised in the 15th minute after a defensive error from Christiana Sunday gifted them a goal.
Yahaya restored Nigeria’s lead in the 44th minute with a composed finish inside the box and completed her hat-trick just a minute later, latching onto a precise through pass from Kaosarat Olanrewaju to make it 3–1 at halftime.
In the second half, the Flamingos continued to dominate, with Moshood and Ayomide Abubakar both testing the Paraguayan goalkeeper.
Substitute Sylvia Echefu also stood out with key defensive interventions, keeping the opposition at bay.
Paraguay managed to pull one back late in the game, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure the victory — their 12th friendly, taking their tally to 50 goals scored and just six conceded during their preparation campaign.
According to team media officer Dorcas Koki, the Bankole Olowookere-led squad will depart for Rabat on Wednesday to conclude final preparations ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on October 17.
Nigeria will compete in Group D alongside Canada, France, and Samoa.