Olowookere blames missed chances for Flamingos’ loss to Canada

Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere has attributed his team’s 4-1 defeat to Canada in their opening match at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to a lack of clinical finishing.

The encounter, played on Sunday night, saw Canada take an early lead through Gabriela Istocki just two minutes into the game. Nigeria responded in the 30th minute when Queen Joseph found the back of the net to level the score.

However, the Canadians proved more decisive in the second half, with Julia Amireh scoring twice and Melisa Kekic adding another to seal a comprehensive victory.

Speaking after the match, Olowookere admitted that his players’ inability to convert their chances in the first half cost them dearly.

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“This was a huge game. Sometimes mistakes happen. We had our chances at the first half. We didn’t take advantage of them and we paid dearly for it,”Olowookere was quoted FIFA.com.

“I think it’s a lesson we’ll keep learning, and then we’ll go back and watch how we played and see how we bounce back.”

The Flamingos will take on France in their next game in Rabat on Wednesday.

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