Flamingos Bow Out Of World Cup, Wrap Up Campaign with Palace Visit In Morocco
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
NIGERIA’S U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, concluded their underwhelming campaign at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a cultural excursion to the King Mohammed V Palace in Rabat on Thursday.
The visit marked the team’s final activity before departing for Abuja, following their 4–0 Round of 16 loss to Italy, which sealed their early exit from the tournament.
According to team officials, the players and coaching staff spent the day exploring some of Morocco’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks, including the King’s Palace and the mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V, where they learned about the country’s royal heritage and national history.
“The Flamingos had a day out today on an excursion around Rabat, taking in notable sights such as the King’s Palace and the mausoleum of the late King Mohammed V,”
the team’s media officer confirmed.
“They will depart for the airport by 8:00 p.m. tonight for their 1:00 a.m. flight to Abuja.”
The sightseeing trip offered the young Nigerian squad a chance to unwind after a challenging World Cup campaign that saw them struggle to find form and consistency. The Flamingos managed just one win in four matches, losing three, scoring five goals while conceding nine.
Their group-stage run included flashes of individual talent but was marred by defensive lapses and missed scoring opportunities, ultimately resulting in one of Nigeria’s poorest outings at the U-17 women’s level.
Despite the disappointing results, team officials maintained an optimistic tone, describing the tournament as a valuable learning experience for the players, most of whom were making their first appearance on the global stage.
“It was a tough campaign, but the girls have shown promise,” one official said.
“They’ve gained exposure, and this experience will help them grow as they prepare for future national assignments.”
The Flamingos, who previously won bronze at the 2022 edition in India, are now expected to regroup ahead of future regional and continental competitions as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to rebuild its women’s youth football pipeline.
