FIFA U-17 WWC | How Nigeria’s Flamingos Soar Higher In Dominican Republic To Finish Group Stage With Perfect Record
On Wednesday, the Nigerian U-17 Women’s national team wrapped up their 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage with a one-nil victory against the hosts, the Dominican Republic.
The Olowookere-led girls had a series of chances, but the Dominican Republic goalkeeper ensured she was not beaten until about a minute from time.
The Nigerian girls dominated proceedings but the hosts put up a resolute display at the back to keep them at bay.
Moshood had the ball in the back of the net after 15 minutes but the goal was chalked off after the centre referee consulted VAR.
The Flamingos had to wait until late in the game before breaking the deadlock. Shakirat Moshood scored the winning goal.
Moshood, who had, before the final group game against the home team, scored three goals, scored her fourth as she fired home from outside the box to hand the West Africans maximum points from the game.
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The victory sealed a perfect run and ensured Nigeria finished top of Group A. The Flamingos will play the United States of America in the quarter-final on Saturday.
In this article, CitySports will take you through Flamingos’ exploits in the group stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
The Flamingos Group Stage Journey
With nine goals and nine points from the group stage, the Flamingos of Nigeria have become the favourite and most talked about team at the ongoing age-grade tournament.
New Zealand vs Nigeria
Nigeria began their 2024 U1-7 Women’s World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over New Zealand.
The Oceania champions conceded three goals in the first 28 minutes of the encounter at the CFC Stadium in Santiago De Los Caballeros.
Goals from Shakirat Moshood, Khadijat Adegoke, Abdulwahab and Taiwo Afolabi sealed a perfect start for the Flamingos.
Moshhod scored her first, and Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament in the 2nd minute of the game, assisted by Harmony Chidi.
Khadijat Adegoke doubles Nigeria’s lead in the 13th minute with a delightful screamer. She was assisted by Faridat Abdulwahab..
Fifteen minutes later, Abdulwahab got on the scoresheet for the Flamingos smashing home, a right-footed shot from outside the box following a corner from Shakirat Moshood.
In the 55th minute, the Flamingos were at it again as Adegoke turned provider for Taiwo Afolabi to head home Nigeria’s fourth of the night.
Nigeria’s defence was breached as New Zealand’s Hannah Saxon’s shot found the bottom corner of the net beating Christiana Uzoma in between the sticks for Nigeria.
And that was how Nigeria ended their opening game on high.
Nigeria vs Ecuador
Going into the second group with so much confidence, the Flamingos left no stone unturned as they were too strong for their South American opponents, Ecuador.
The Nigerian girls put four goals past the Ecuadorians and sealed their quarter-final place with six points from two games.
How It Happens
Shakirat Moshood, one of Nigeria’s standout performers, opened the scoring in the first half, converting a penalty in the 26th minute after captain Taiwo Afolabi was fouled inside the box.
Moshood, who had earlier scored one of the tournament’s fastest goals in the previous match, displayed her clinical finishing once again.
Pacy forward Peace Effiong was a constant threat and added to the tally with her first goal of the tournament, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up by the Ecuadorians.
Harmony Chidi, Nigeria’s top scorer during the qualifying campaign, also got on the scoresheet after missing several chances in the first half.
In the closing stages of the match, Moshood capped off a stellar team performance with her second goal, securing a comprehensive victory for Olowookere’s girls.
And Finally, Nigeria vs Dominican Republic
The result saw them equal Spain’s record of winning all three group matches in this edition of the tournament.
With a quarterfinal spot already assured, head coach Bankole Olowookere rotated his squad, giving first starts of the competition to Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue, and Ramotallahi Kareem.
The trio replaced Oonyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong, and Harmony Chidi, who were rested but named among the substitutes.
Aminat Moshood thought she had put Nigeria ahead in the 11th minute after a slick assist from Kareem, but the goal was ruled out.
The Flamingos’ defence was nearly punished for a lapse in concentration when Alexa Isabella Castro of the Dominican Republic had a chance to open the scoring, but she failed to hit the target.
Nigeria continued to press, with Moshood and Ifitezue both being denied by goalkeeper Jaylene Rondon.
Despite Nigeria’s dominance, the first half ended goalless – the first time the Flamingos had failed to score in the opening period during the tournament.
The second half saw Olowookere make tactical changes, with Effiong and Chidi coming off the bench.
Chidi nearly set up a goal in the 72nd minute, but Taiwo Adegoke couldn’t finish at the far post.
The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute, when Moshood unleashed a thunderous long-range strike to give Nigeria the lead.
With her late strike, Moshood now is the competition’s top scorer, netting four goals in three games.
Alongside reigning champions Spain, Nigeria remain the only team to have won all their group matches, with Korea DPR or England potentially joining them depending on Thursday’s results.