Nigeria’s Flamingos kicked off their 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over New Zealand in their Group A opener. The match, held on Wednesday, saw Nigeria’s young football stars put on an impressive performance, dominating from start to finish.
Shakirat Moshood, Khadijat Adegoke, Faridat Abdulwahab, and Taiwo Afolabi were all on the scoresheet for Nigeria, delivering a commanding win that sets the team up as strong contenders in the tournament.
The action began almost immediately, with Moshood opening the scoring just two minutes into the game. After receiving a well-placed pass, she skillfully beat her marker inside the penalty area and struck a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net, giving the Flamingos an early 1-0 lead.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Adegoke unleashed a long-range effort that caught the New Zealand goalkeeper off guard. The shot was fumbled by the keeper, and despite her attempt to recover, the ball crossed the line, making it 2-0 for Nigeria.
By the 30th minute, Nigeria was fully in control of the game, and Abdulwahab added a third goal with a beautifully curled shot from outside the box. Her strike left the New Zealand defense helpless, as the ball soared into the top corner of the net, giving Nigeria a comfortable 3-0 lead.
As the match progressed, captain Taiwo Afolabi made it 4-0 with a superb header from a well-delivered cross. Afolabi’s goal came at a crucial moment, further solidifying Nigeria’s dominance over their opponents.
New Zealand managed to pull one goal back when Hannah Saxon controlled a corner kick and fired a left-footed shot past the Nigerian goalkeeper. Despite this consolation goal, the Flamingos remained in control, and the match ended with a resounding 4-1 victory for Nigeria.
The win gives Nigeria a strong start in Group A as they aim to advance far in the tournament. Speaking after the match, Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere praised his team’s performance and expressed confidence in their chances moving forward.
“It was a great team effort,” Olowookere said. “The girls played with discipline and skill. We took our chances, and now we look forward to our next match.”
The Flamingos will face Ecuador in their second group game on Saturday, October 19. Ecuador, making their debut in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, will be eager to bounce back after their first match later on Wednesday against the host nation, the Dominican Republic.
Nigeria’s win has sent a message to the other teams in the tournament, showcasing the Flamingos as a force to be reckoned with. The team has a rich history in women’s football, and expectations are high for them to make a deep run in the competition.
With talented players like Moshood, Adegoke, Abdulwahab, and Afolabi leading the charge, the Flamingos have proven that they are ready to compete at the highest level and represent Nigeria with pride on the global stage.
