Nigeria 4-1 New Zealand: Moshood and Abdulwahab shine as Flamingos begin U17 World Cup in style

Nigeria’s U17 women’s national team began their adventure at the 2024 FIFA U17 Women World Cup with an excellent 4-1 victory over New Zealand at the Estadio Cibao on Wednesday night, Soccernet.ng reports.

Bronze medalist at the last edition of the Mundial, the Flamingos have their eyes set on greater heights this time and they showed they mean business with a straightforward victory over the New Zealanders.

There were only two minutes on the clock when Shakirat Moshood pounced on a pass from Harmony Chidi to give Nigeria the lead.

Khadijat Adegoke then doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a screamer from outside the box with the assist coming from Faridat Abdulwahab.

In the 28th minute, Abdulwahab got on the scoresheet for the Flamingos as she smashed a right-footed shot from outside the box into the net following a corner from Shakirat Moshood.

But for some profligacy in front of the New Zealand goalkeeper Nigeria, with 19 attempts on goal, should have added to their advantage before the referee ended the first half.

However, ten minutes into the second half, the Flamingos were at it again as Adegoke turned provider for Taiwo Afolabi to head home Nigeria’s fourth of the night.

However, from only their second corner of the game, New Zealand breached Nigeria’s defence when Hannah Saxon’s shot found the bottom corner of goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma’s goal.