According to a report by Flashscore on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Nigeria’s Flamingos faced difficulties in the first half of their opening FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Group B fixture against Poland, with Azeezat Oduntan, Esther Stephen, Favour Nkwocha and Opeyemi Sunday struggling to make a notable impact.

Oduntan, who featured in midfield, found it difficult to dictate the tempo as Poland applied pressure and disrupted Nigeria’s attempts to control possession. The midfielder struggled to establish a consistent rhythm, limiting the Flamingos’ ability to build their play through the centre of the pitch.

Defender Esther Stephen also faced a challenging opening period as Poland’s attackers tested Nigeria’s defensive organisation. The centre-back had to contend with the opposition’s movement in the final third, while the Flamingos struggled to contain the pressure and prevent dangerous situations from developing.

Nkwocha similarly found it difficult to influence proceedings from midfield. Poland’s approach restricted her opportunities to help Nigeria retain possession and progress the ball into attacking areas, leaving the Flamingos struggling to create a consistent flow in their play.

Meanwhile, Opeyemi Sunday had limited opportunities to make an attacking contribution as Nigeria spent extended periods dealing with Poland’s pressure. The lack of sustained possession made it difficult for her to become involved in promising attacking moves.

The first-half difficulties highlighted the challenges facing the Flamingos as they attempted to establish themselves in their opening Group B encounter. Nigeria needed greater control in midfield, improved defensive coordination and more effective movement in attack to increase their chances of gaining the upper hand against Poland.