Flopped Flamingoes finish bottom of group, arrive today from Jordan

Nigeria’s Under-17 girls, the Flamingoes, are expected back home today after finishing bottom of the table in Group C at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup holding in Jordan.

The Flamingoes lost 0-1 to Brazil in their first match of the tournament, drew 0-0 with England in their second game and lost 0-3 in their last match on Saturday to Korea DPR. A win would have kept the team in the competition.

RI Hae Yon was the hero in the Flamingoes’ last match, as Korea Yon’s hat-trick helped her country to a 3-0 triumph over Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade’s blistering pace in the opening minutes kept the Asians in their half as she forced goalkeeper Ok Kum Ju to make a number of early saves.

Despite early dominance by the Flamingoes, Korea DPR took the lead in the 30th minute as Kyong Hui’s long cross disrupted Nigeria’s backline as Ri fired past hapless goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Sin Jong-Bok’s girls doubled their lead shortly as Ri capped off a well-worked team move by firing home from close range before completing her treble on 83 minutes after receiving Kim Jong Sim’s free-kick in the area and slotting a side-footed effort past Nnadozie.

The defeat at the Amman International Stadium capped off a miserable outing for the Flamingoes who failed to score a goal in three games – their worst outing since their debut in the competition.