Nigeria’s Flamingos have stormed into the Spherical of 16 on the ongoing FIFA U-17 Ladies’s World Cup in Morocco after a commanding 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday night time.
Needing a giant win to revive their marketing campaign following earlier defeats to Canada and France, the Nigerian women rose to the event with a dominant all-round show that reignited their title hopes.
Ahead Queen Joseph was the star of the night time, scoring twice to take her match tally to 3. Captain Shakirat Moshood transformed from the penalty spot, whereas defender Azeezat Oduntan added a spectacular fourth from a large place to finish the rout.
The Flamingos, bronze medallists on the 2022 version in India, started with clear intent.
Joseph opened scoring within the thirteenth minute after a intelligent help from Moshood, lifting the ball past the goalkeeper.
Moshood doubled Nigeria’s lead from the spot 14 minutes later after Holly Leapai dealt with the ball within the field.
Relentless in assault, Nigeria made it 3–0 within the thirty sixth minute when Nguemo Terlumun, who tormented Samoa’s defence all through, danced previous her marker to arrange Joseph for her second.
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The Flamingos got here near a fourth simply earlier than halftime, as Mariam Yahaya’s strike compelled a high quality save from Ae.
The Nigerian captain missed one other penalty early within the second half, however the staff’s stress ultimately paid off within the 67th minute, when Oduntan curled in a pleasant cross-shot to seal an important win.
The consequence lifted Nigeria to 3rd place in Group D with three factors and a –1 purpose distinction — sufficient to clinch among the best third-place qualification spots for the knockout stage.
It was an evening of redemption for coach Bankole Olowookere’s facet, who had promised to “battle to the top for Nigeria” after the early setbacks.
With this emphatic win, the Flamingos not solely stored their World Cup dream alive but additionally carried Africa’s hopes additional in Morocco.
