By Akinwale Kasali
Two first half goals from Amina Bello and Miracle Usani were the confidence booster the Nigeria Under-17 Female National Team, the Flamingoes needed to bring back hopes of advancing beyond the Group stage at the ongoing FIFA Under-17 Female World Cup in India.
The promise by Coach Bankole Olowookere that his Girls would do the nation proud in their second Group match against Oceania Side, New Zealand was what played out.
At the signaling of the match by Thailand Center Referee, the Flamingoes set out like a house on fire, attacking their opponents from every angle.
The Nigeria Girls mounted pressure on their New Zealand counterparts who were forced to be on the defensive side, as the quartet of Ajakaye, Bello, Mosaku and Dah-Zossu threatened their defense line which resulted in the first goal from a header courtesy of Bello.
Not too long in the first half, Usani scored the second with a slight deflection from a New Zealand defender to give the Flamingoes the needed lead going into the second half.
The second half wasn’t different from the first as the Flamingoes continued where they stopped from, attacking and shooting at the goalkeeper, Aime Danieli-Feinberg, who made several saves to keep the lead at 2-0.
Unfortunately for Danieli-Feinberg, she was unable to stop a ferocious shots from Afolabi and Edidiong Etim to give the Flamingoes a 4-0 win.
Coach Olowookere made some changes in the squad that started the match against Germany, retaining Faith Omilana in goal, Comfort Folorunsho, Tunmininu Adeshina, Shakirat Oyinlola and Miracle Usani remained in the starting line up.
Taiwo Afolabi, Blessing Emmanuel regained their place in the midfield, while Amina Bello and Bisola Mosake replaced Edidiong Etim and Mary Aderemi in the midfield.
Opeyemi Ajakaye and Alvine Dah-Zossu led the attack.
With this victory, Nigeria have Three point and need a win against Chile to book a place in the Quarter Finals of championship.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Share your story or advertise with us: WhatsApp: +2348174884527, Email: [email protected]
