Nigeria brace for crunch quarterfinal battle with U.S

The Nigerian women’s U-17 national team, Flamingos, who went through the group stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 100 per cent win record, are braced for a crunchy tie with world powers, the United States in the quarterfinals of the competition.

In the last group game against the hosts in the early hours of yesterday, Shakirat Moshood’s 89th minute strike from 24 yards earned Nigeria all three points against a heroic Dominican Republic side.

Playing for the first time in Santo Domingo, the barnstorming Nigerians found the going tough under driving rain against a determined host nation, and could not make an overwhelming ball possession count until Moshood, now with four goals, unleashed a rocket from outside the box.

Captain Renata Mercedes and goalkeeper Rondon led a famous resistance against one of the elites of the competition, and the hosts deserved praise for their pushback that ensured the Flamingos made nothing out of 16 corner kicks.

Coach Bankole Olowookere made three changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue and Ramotalahi Kareem in place of Onyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong and Harmony Chidi. He restored Effiong and Chidi after the hour, but it took a special effort from Moshood, scorer of the tournament’s fastest goal, to break the hearts of the hosts.

Victory means the Flamingos top their group, three points better than second-placed Ecuador, who walloped New Zealand 4-0 to finish with six points and set up a clash with Spain on Sunday.
 
Looking ahead to a successful outing against the United States on Saturday, Flamingos Coach, Olowookere that said his girls will approach the match as if it were the final game.
 
“Our girls are determined to go one better than we have done at this level. Playing against the United States is ordinarily a tough task, but we will be ready for the battle,” he said.