U17WWC: Flamingos Recover, Qualify For Round Of 16

U17WWC: Flamingos Recover, Qualify For Round Of 16

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria’s Flamingos sealed their place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco with a commanding 4-0 victory over Samoa in Rabat, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Queen Joseph led the charge with a well-taken brace, taking her tally in the tournament to three goals, while captain Shakirat Moshood converted from the penalty spot and defender Azeezat Oduntan added a spectacular strike from the wing to complete the rout.

After suffering a 1-4 defeat to Canada in their opening match and a narrow 0-1 loss to France, the Flamingos knew only a big win would secure qualification.

They approached the tie with intent and were rewarded early when Joseph latched onto a precise pass from Moshood in the 13th minute, lifting the ball past goalkeeper Grace Ae.

Three minutes later, Ae denied Chisom Nwachukwu’s powerful strike, but she was sent the wrong way in the 27th minute as Moshood calmly converted a penalty following a handball by defender Holly Leapai.

Nigeria kept pressing, and in the 36th minute, the lively Nguemo Terlumun outpaced her marker before crossing for Joseph to tap in her second of the night.

A swift one-two between Joseph and Mariam Yahaya just before halftime nearly produced another goal, but Yahaya’s effort was parried away.

The Flamingos could have gone 4-0 up early in the second half when they won another penalty, but Moshood’s attempt was superbly saved by Ae.

However, in the 67th minute, Oduntan made no mistake sending a perfectly placed cross curling into the net to seal the emphatic win.

The victory ensured the Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 edition in India, advanced to the knockout stage in style, keeping their hopes of another podium finish alive.