Nigeria Crash Out Of U-17 World Cup

Nigeria’s Flamingos crashed out of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup following a 2-0 defeat to the United States of America to end their involvement in the competition in the quarter-finals.

The Flamingos game plan was badly affected by injuries as three players were forced off with injuries in the first half.

Forward Blessing Ifitezue, left back Onyedikachi Ekezie, and defender Jumai Adebayo could not continue, and they were replaced by the trio of Peace Effiong, Onyedikachi Ekezie, and Ov Eke.

Nigeria’s best chance fell to Harmony Chidi, leading scorer in the African qualifying campaign in the ninth minute when her effort went too high from a free kick.

A minute later, Mary Long stretched goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma with an excellent shot in the box, which she parried out for a corner.

USA, who lost a quarter-final game to Nigeria in India two years ago on penalty shoot-out, went in front from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute through Fuller, after Shakirat Moshood fouled an opponent in the box.

It would have been 2-0 in added time, but Adebayo did well to keep out the ball right on the line as the Americans piled more pressure.

In the 64th minute, Captain Taiwo Afolabi snatched the ball from a defender, only to see her effort parried out for a corner.

Fuller could have doubled USA’s advantage in the 71st minute, but saw her effort miss the target narrowly.

Three minutes later, USA went 2-0 up, when Afolabi was hacked in the midfield and the through ball was converted by Kim Ascanio who put the ball through the legs of the advancing Uzoma.

The Flamingos defeated the United State of America in the quarter-finals of the 2022 edition in India via penalty shootout before they lost to Colombia in the semi-final.

They eventually ended the competition with the bronze medal after beating Germany in the third place match 3-2 on penalties.

Nigeria’s wait for their first triumph in the competition continues after appearing in every edition since inception in 2008.