Super Flamingos set down a marker in ongoing U17 World Cup with emphatic win over Kiwis

NIGERIA'S Super Flamingos are confident they can go the whole way and win the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup currently taking place in the Dominican Republic after they got their campaign off to a flying start y4sterday beating New Zealand 4-1.

In their opening match which took place in Santiago de los Caballeros last night, the Flamingos coasted to victory, sending out a message to all the other participants in the tournament, with the ease, with which they beat the Young Kiwis. Not only that, Shakirat Moshood scored one of the competition’s fastest goals when she rounded the New Zealand defence to score after only 80 seconds.

After that, the precocious Faridat Abdulwahab hit the New Zealand crossbar seven minutes later from 23 yards and in the 13th minute, Nigeria went two goals up when defender Taiwo Adegoke’s shot from well outside the box was misjudged by the goalkeeper it into the net. Firing from all cylinders, Nigeria again rattled the opposing goalkeeper in the 17th minute, with a sharp shot from Moshood that was punched over the bar.

Four minutes later, Peace Effiong, who was all over the pitch, heaved the ball too high from six yards after the New Zealand defence was beaten. Then, in the 26th minute, Harmony Chidi rounded the goalkeeper who made a great block on the second attempt, to prevent a third goal.

Captain Taiwo Afolabi stung the goalkeeper’s palms from close range in the 28th minute and from the resultant corner kick, Abdulwahab easily lifted the ball over the goalie from 16 yards for Nigeria’s third goal. It stayed that way until the break despite Nigerian pressure as the New Zealanders were lucky to go into the interval with the scoreline still respectable.

In the second half, the Flamingos continued their raid on the opposition goal and eight minutes after the restart, they made it 4-0 after Afolabi’s looping header from Adegoke’s cross from the right sailed over the goalkeeper into the net. After that, the Flamingos got comfortable, kind of losing interest in the game, allowing the New Zealanders to come back into the match.

On the hour, Kiwi striker Saxon scored a goal right from the training ground, collecting the ball from a corner kick and turning swiftly in the penalty area to shoot past goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma. Although Chidi, Nigeria’s top scorer from the qualifying series, was again foiled in the 75th minute, the Flamingos finished on the ascendancy.

Nigeria's girls will now look forward to another three points against debutants Ecuador on Saturday, which will take them to the tournament’s knockout stage.  They will then play the hosts the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, October 22.

Super Flamingos coach, Bankole Olowookere, said: “It’s a good first game for us. We are taking them as they come, so a good game for us, scoring four goals and only conceding one, so not bad for our first game.”

New Zealand coach, Alana Gunn, added: “A goal is massive for us. It’s an awesome achievement from the team and especially for Hannah, she’ll remember that type of moment forever.”