THE Flamingos of Nigeria are through to the knockout stage of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Nigeria booked her passage into the knockout stage with a convincing 4-0 win over Ecuador on Saturday at the Estadio Cibao Fútbol Club, Santiago, Dominican Republic before a handful of spectators numbering 787.
The Flamingos took the lead two minutes before the half-hour mark through Shakirat Moshood, who scored one of the tournament’s fastest goals with her 80-second strike against New Zealand on Match Day 1, sent goalkeeper Maria Rodriguez the wrong way from the spot.
Captain Taiwo Afolabi was impeded in the box, resulting in the penalty coolly converted by Shakirat Moshood.
Nine minutes after the break, Nigeria doubled their lead through the boot of Harmony Chidi, assisted by Aishat Animashaun.
Peace Effiong put the game to bed in the 66th minute before Shakirat Moshood added the fourth, which was the icing to relieve the teenagers from Quito and its environs from further punishment.
Nigeria won their opening game of the finals, scoring four times against New Zealand, with the Islanders finding the net once.
The Flamingos will take on the host nation on Tuesday night.
Also qualified for the knockout stage are the Spanish national team. The Imperial ten-man Spain sprayed South Korea 5-0 to advance to the next round with a game to spare, just like Nigeria. United States of America were the first team the Spanish crushed 3-0 on Match Day 1.
Eighteen-Eleven Media