Nigeria, Oct. 20 -- Nigeria's Flamingos began their 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup campaign on a disappointing note, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Canada in their opening Group D match at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Sale, Morocco, on Sunday night.

Canada made a dream start, taking the lead inside two minutes through Gabriela Istocki, who finished calmly after a fine run by Molly Hale.

Nigeria responded well and gradually took control, with captain Shakirat Moshood testing goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse from distance.

Their persistence paid off on the half hour when Queen Joseph bundled home a rebound after Kaosarat Olanrewaju's shot slipped through Cisse's hands, leveling the score at 1-1.

The second half, however, belonged to the Ca...