Two second half goals by Mina Tanaka condemned the Super Falcons to a 0-2 defeat by Japan in their international friendly match inside the Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Thursday.
A string of brilliant saves by first choice goal-tender Chiamaka Nnadozie kept Nigeria in the game in the first half, and the Falcons almost took a surprise lead when defender Ashleigh Plumptre struck the woodwork from a free-kick.
Tanaka scored her first in the 65th minute, when she chest-controlled the ball from a free-kick and slammed past Nnadozie.
The second came three minutes later, from the penalty spot, after a harsh challenge from Osinachi Ohale on an advancing Japanese forward in the Nigeria area.
Both teams used the game as part of their preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, have flown out of Turkey after a 10-day training camp in final preparation for this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup finals in India.
The team of 21 players and 12 officials flew out of the Istanbul International Airport to Goa – the Indian city where the Flamingos will prosecute their group B games against Germany and New Zealand. They will fly to Bhubaneswar for their final game against Chile.
During their 10-day camping in the Turkish city of Kocaeli, the Flamingos defeated Galatasaray Women team 3-1 with a brace from Edidiong Etim and one by top scorer Opeyemi Ajakaye.
However, they lost their second friendly 1-3 to Fenerbahce Women at the same venue.
Their first match of the World Cup campaign will be against top dogs Germany on 11th October.