Flamingos surrender to Germany in FIFA U17 World Cup opener

• The African representatives took the lead in Goa but crumbled after the break to the superior firepower of the European champions

Nigeria's U17 women's national team fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of their German counterparts to begin the 2022 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in India on a disappointing note.

In their first-ever meeting at the tournament against Germany, the Flamingos did well to take the lead on the half-hour mark.

Defender, Miracle Usani fired a fierce drive past the goalkeeper from a free kick at the edge of the box, after the Flamingos in front from a free kick spot after Alvine Dah-Zossu was hacked down.

The Flamingoes survived a seemingly unstoppable wave of German attacks to take the lead into the halftime break. However, five minutes after the restart, Die Nationalelf were back on level terms, scoring from a well-worked corner kick routine.

On the hour mark, the German comeback was complete after the irrepressible Alber beat the Nigerian goalkeeper with a low shot into the bottom corner. The game ended 2-1 despite a late push by the Flamingos.

The win takes Germany to second place behind Chile in Group B.

Earlier in the day, the Chileans forced a 3-1 defeat down the throat of New Zealand.

The Flamingos will face New Zealand next, on Friday, October 14, as they look to get their World Cup challenge back on track. 

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