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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexico in Rabat on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after an impressive performance against their Mexican opponents.
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Oluebube Umejiaku broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with an outstanding individual effort, taking on three Mexican defenders before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Lopez to give the Flamingos a deserved advantage heading into the half-time break.
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Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 71st minute through Mary Dunstan, who finished beautifully from close range to register her first goal of the competition and strengthen the Flamingos’ grip on the encounter despite Mexico’s late attempt to fight back.
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Despite conceding a stoppage-time goal to Camila Campos, the Flamingos held on to secure qualification and will now face Venezuela in the quarter-finals on Sunday, with the South Americans booking their place in the last eight after eliminating Germany in their Round of 16 encounter.
October 29, (THEWILL) – Nigeria defeated Mexico 2-1 in Rabat on Thursday to qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals.
The Flamingos started on a strong foot pressing harder against the Mexicans as the opponents made quick attempts from Citlalli Reyes and Natalia Perez in the 4th and 7th minute of play.
Kanyinsola Yusuf and Mary Dunstan made efforts at goal in the 29th and 30th minute of play.
The deadlock was broken in the 40th minute after a solo effort by Oluebube Umejiaku who took the ball in the midst of three defenders and slotted it past goalkeeper Lopez.
The first half ended with the Flamingos on the front foot, dominating the game and full of confidence.
The second half began with Flamingos still on the ascendancy. Head Coach Hakeem Busari made his first substitution of the game bringing in Precious Oscar for Oluwakemi Adegbuyi who suffered a knock in the first half.
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Nigeria doubled their lead in the 71st minute of play through Mary Dunstan, who slotted in beautifully from close range for her first goal of the tournament.
The Mexicans refused to give up and made a strong statement by pushing for a consolation goal, and the effort paid off in the 10th minute of added time in the second period, when Camila Campos shot past the brilliant Jane Ijirigho in goal for Nigeria.
Flamingos held on to close out the game, and will now take on Venezuela quarter-finals on Sunday.
Venezuela edged Germany in their Round of 16 encounter on Wednesday.
