Nigeria women’s cadet football team, the Flamingos started their 2024 Women’s Under 17 World Cup with a convincing win over New Zealand on Wednesday.
The Flamingos were the better side by a mile as they dominated the New Zealanrers for large spells of the match.
The Nigerian side made their intention of winning the game known as early as the first minute as Shakirat Moshood gave the Flamingos the lead.
Taiwo Adegoke doubled the lead of the Flamingos on the 13th minute as New Zealand struggled to settle into the match.
Shakirat Moshood almost got her second goal in the match but her shot towards goal was parried away by the goalkeeper after an initial deflection.
Farida Abdulwahab compounded the woes of the young New Zealand ladies as she got on the score sheet on the 27th minute.
The first-half ended 3 nil in what can be described as a total domainate display by Nigeria over their opponents.
The second half started like the fisrt half with the Nigerian side showing the hunger to score more goals.
Taiwo Afolabi made it 4 nil ten minutes after the restart as coach Bankole Olowookere’s Flamingos further increased the miseries of New Zealand.
However, Hannah Saxon reduced the deficit for New Zealand on the hour mark as scored her team’s opening goal of the tournament.
Right-winger Harmony Chidi came close on two occasions to increase the lead for Nigeria but failed to convert any of her chances.
The match ended 4-1 in favour of the Nigerian young ladies as they begin their campaign on a brilliant note. The Flamingos top Group A ahead of host Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand.
Nigeria will take on Ecuador in their second group stage match on Saturday.
