Sundiata Post – Nigeria’s Women’s under 17 national team, the Flamingos, defeated host country Dominican Republic early Wednesday morning to maintain a 100 per cent record in the group stage of the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos were made to wait until the 89th minute before finding a breakthrough via midfielder Shakirat Moshood, who collected the ball from 25 yards and launched a powerful left-footed strike at goal which went past the Dominican goalkeeper.
The Nigerian girls protected the goal which is Moshood’s fourth in the tournament to set up a quarter-final clash with the United States of America.
Nigeria ending the group phase with three straight wins to set up a second straight quarter-final bout with USA, while Dominican Republic finished with just the one point but plenty of new admirers and belief for the future.
On Saturday, Nigeria and USA meet in a rematch of their quarter-final duel at India 2022 when Nigeria emerged victorious after a penalty shootout.
In his post match interview, the Nigeria’s team coach, Bankole Olowookere, said, “I’m so happy, I’m happy for myself, happy for the team and happy for the whole of Nigeria. We knew in this match we had to manage our energy and strength; these are young girls with many games to play so we had to take it easy”
