Nigeria’s under-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Ghana’s Black Maidens in the WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup final after both sides played out a 2-2 draw in regulation time on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The Flamingos were pegged back early in the contest at Accra’s Centre Prampram courtesy of a 13th-minute strike from Gertrude Amoafa.
Priscilla Mensah quickly doubled Ghana’s lead five minutes later to stun the Flamingos, who were rattled in the opening period.
Bankole Olowookere’s side, however, settled into the game and were rewarded with a goal by Precious Oscar in the 34th minute to halve the deficit.
The Flamingos thought they had levelled proceedings six minutes after the hour mark, but the goal was ruled out by the referee, while their 69th-minute effort failed to beat the crossbar.
With the game edging to a close, Flamingos No. 9 Harmony Chidi scored their second goal of the game to draw them level, making for a nail-biting end to the game.
Both sides were unable to find the winner, and the game made its way to penalties, where Shakirat Moshood scored Nigeria’s first. The two West African neighbours traded blows, but the Flamingos eventually lost, ensuring the Black Maidens won the inaugural edition of the WAFU B U17 Girls’ Cup.
Chidi was named Player of the Match, and Christiana Uzoma took home the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award for her stellar performances as Nigeria settled for a silver medal.
The third-place playoff saw the Benin Republic edge Côte d’Ivoire 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation.
