Nigeria’s under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, sealed yet another commanding win at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over tournament debutants Ecuador on Saturday.
Bronze medallist from the last edition in India, the Flamingos secured their passage into this year’s quarterfinals in style having recorded a 4-1 win over New Zealand in their opening match on Wednesday.
🤩Our 🇳🇬 formidable Flamingos are through to the quarter-final! 🎟️#U17WWC #SoarFlamingos pic.twitter.com/s219jm34V8
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 19, 2024
Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through Shakirat Moshood, who made it two goals in as many games, adding to her early strike against New Zealand, which came inside the first two minutes of the game.
The goal came from the penalty spot, with Moshood sending goalkeeper Maria Rodriguez the wrong way following a foul on captain Taiwo Afolabi in Ecuador’s box at the Estadio Cibao.
The Flamingos could have scored more in the first half, but forward Peace Effiong was denied twice by Rodriguez in the 18th and 30th minutes, while Harmony Chidi, who scored 13 goals in the qualifying rounds, hit the crossbar just before the break.
The Bankole Olowookere-led side, however, were more clinical in the second half as they found the back of the net three times, with the first emerging from Chidi in the 54th minute to score her first goal of the tournament after she was teed up by Aishat Animashaun.
Two soon became three 12 minutes later, as Effiong wouldn’t be denied on the third time of asking. The young forward opened her tournament account after a mistake from substitute goalkeeper Melany Pozo.
The Flamingos got their fourth of the game in stoppage time, with Moshood completing her brace thanks to a sublime pass from Chidi.
The result ensured Nigeria have so far picked up all maximum points in Group A, scoring eight goals in the process and conceding just one as they sit atop the standings with six points.
Having already booked a spot in the next round, they will take on hosts Dominican Republic in their final group game in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Day three at the #U17WWC. ✔️
How did your country do? 🧐
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) October 20, 2024
In Saturday’s other results, Spain also secured a quarter-finals ticket by thrashing South Korea 5-0.
Dominican Republic scored their first-ever goal at the tournament in a 1-1 draw against New Zealand, while the United States beat Colombia 2-0.
