U-17 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria coach Olowookere pained with Italy defeat

Nigeria women’s U-17 national team coach Bankole Olowookere has admitted to being in pain with the way Flamingoes got eliminated from the women’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Round of 16 stage on Tuesday.

Italy defeat Nigeria in the RO16! 💥@AzzurreFIGC | #U17WWC pic.twitter.com/Sp0hTS5VDZ

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 28, 2025

There were chances a plenty for both sides in the first half, but it was Italy’s Anna Copelli finding the scoresheet first, as her left-footed shot from curled under the diving arms of Nigeria goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu.

Italy then gave themselves a two-goal cushion on a ball flighted in by Caterina Venturelli that ended up sailing over the head of Echefu and into net. Soon enough it was three, with Giulia Robino firing home a right-footed free-kick.

‘Honestly, it’s quite a painful’

Rachele Giudici rounded out the festive night for the Italians with an easy push into net in the final minutes.

Speaking after the game, Olowookere maintained their desire was to go all the way in the competition but added the players had picked enough experience.

“Honestly, it’s quite a painful. We came into the game with mindset of doing something special, making sure that we win and we progress to the next stage. Unfortunately, we held the game for 44 minutes before the painful goal came in and it was all squandered on the second half. It’s one of those things,” he told FIFA.com.

“The players gained a lot of experience. Going to the World Cup, having met many other nations, many other players and all together, those experiences go a long way to help their career, to make them superstars in the future.”

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