Canada began its FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign in Sale, Morocco, with a 4–1 victory over Nigeria on Sunday, led by second-half substitute Melisa Kekic, who scored the decisive goal in the 73rd minute, and Julia Amireh, who added two late goals.
Gabriela Istocki opened the scoring for Canada in the second minute after Molly Hale’s surging run into the Nigerian box set up a simple finish. Nigeria equalised in the 30th minute when Queen Joseph capitalised on a spill by Canadian goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse following a low strike from Kaosarat Olanrewaju.
Kekic restored Canada’s lead midway through the second half, latching onto a long pass from Chloe Taylor and beating Nigerian goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface with a low shot into the corner. Amireh, who entered in the 72nd minute, extended the lead in the 80th minute after Boniface failed to control a high ball in the penalty area, allowing the North Carolina Courage academy player to tap in. She added her second six minutes later, outpacing a defender to meet a delivery from captain Olivia Chisholm.
Despite the defeat, Nigeria outshot Canada 17–10, with an 8–5 advantage in shots on target, and earned four corners to Canada’s one. The Nigerians dominated the first half, keeping Canada under pressure for long spells. However, they were wasteful in front of goal, taking several long-range efforts that failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Referee Olatz Rivera Olmedo reviewed a possible penalty incident in the 57th minute after Istocki went down in the Nigerian box but upheld her decision to wave play on.
Canada, coached by Jen Herst, will continue Group D action against Samoa on Wednesday before facing France on October 25. France earlier defeated Samoa 4–2. The top two teams in each of the six groups, along with the four best third-placed finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.
The Canadians suffered a setback before the tournament when co-captain Emma Reda, daughter of former international Marco Reda, sustained an injury in training and was ruled out. The team, led by interim coach Gary Moody during qualification, had advanced unbeaten through its CONCACAF group earlier this year, defeating Nicaragua 5–0, Panama 2–0, and Puerto Rico 3–2.
Canada’s best U-17 World Cup performance remains its fourth-place finish in 2018. Nigeria, meanwhile, has featured in seven of the eight previous tournaments, finishing third in 2022 and reaching the quarterfinals four times, including in 2024.
Defending champions North Korea have won the title three times and finished runners-up once, while Spain has reached the final four times, winning twice.
