·      Shakirat Moshood shines with brace
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ecuador in their second group-stage match, according to Soccernet.ng. This dominant win follows their impressive 4-1 triumph over New Zealand in their opening game, putting the team in a strong position with a perfect six points from two matches. The Flamingos have now scored eight goals and conceded just one, showcasing their formidable form in the tournament.
Shakirat Moshood, one of the standout players for Nigeria, opened the scoring in the first half, converting a penalty in the 26th minute after team captain Taiwo Afolabi was brought down inside the box. Moshood, who had already made headlines by scoring one of the fastest goals in the tournament during Nigeria’s first match, continued to prove her worth as a clinical finisher, showing her composure from the spot.
The Flamingos maintained constant pressure on their Ecuadorian opponents, with pacy forward Peace Effiong causing havoc in the Ecuadorian defense throughout the match. Effiong, making her presence felt, seized an opportunity created by a defensive error to score her first goal of the tournament, further extending Nigeria’s lead.
Harmony Chidi, who had been Nigeria’s top scorer during the qualifying rounds, finally found the back of the net after missing several chances in the first half. Her goal added to the team’s dominance, as they continued to showcase their attacking prowess.
As the game progressed, Nigeria remained in control, and Moshood capped off her excellent individual performance with a second goal in the closing stages of the match. Her brace secured a comprehensive 4-0 win for the Flamingos and confirmed their place in the quarterfinals. The team, led by coach Bankole Olowookere, will now look ahead to their next challenge as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
