The Nigerian U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, made an emphatic start to their campaign in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup by defeating New Zealand 4-1. This opening match, held in the Dominican Republic, showcased Nigeria’s strong intentions in the tournament as they secured a commanding win, establishing themselves as early favorites in their group.
Nigeria wasted no time in making their mark on the game, with Shakirat Moshood scoring just two minutes into the match. This early strike set the tone for the Flamingos’ relentless attacking performance. Their pressure continued as Taiwo Adegoke doubled Nigeria’s lead only 11 minutes later, leaving the New Zealand defense reeling from the early onslaught.
The Nigerian side continued to control the tempo and pushed further ahead in the 28th minute when Faridat Abdulwahab slotted in the third goal, giving Nigeria a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime. The team’s high-energy performance and clinical finishing made it difficult for New Zealand to keep pace, allowing Nigeria to cruise through the first half with relative ease.
The second half began much like the first, with Nigeria continuing to dominate possession and create chances. Team captain Taiwo Afolabi added to New Zealand’s woes in the 55th minute with Nigeria’s fourth goal, further cementing the team’s commanding position in the match.
New Zealand managed to pull one goal back in the 60th minute through Hannah Saxon, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation. Despite their efforts, New Zealand struggled to break through Nigeria’s well-organized defense, and the Flamingos held on for a comfortable 4-1 win.
The Flamingos’ victory was the result of a comprehensive team performance, with key contributions from several players. Shakirat Moshood and Taiwo Adegoke were instrumental in the attacking phase, while Taiwo Afolabi provided leadership and a clinical finish as captain. The Nigerian defense, led by a disciplined backline, was able to stifle New Zealand’s attacks, ensuring that the opponents had limited opportunities to score.
Faridat Abdulwahab’s goal capped a strong first-half display, while Afolabi’s second-half strike put the game beyond New Zealand’s reach. Collectively, the Flamingos showed a high level of skill, tactical awareness, and teamwork that bodes well for their chances in the tournament.
With this victory, Nigeria tops their group, benefiting from a superior goal difference over Ecuador, who also started their campaign with a 2-0 win against the hosts, Dominican Republic. The Nigerian team will face Ecuador on Saturday, October 19th, in what could be a decisive match for the leadership of Group A. The game will take place at the Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.
Coach Bankole Olowookere will likely be pleased with his team’s performance but will emphasize the need for focus and consistency as they progress further in the tournament. A win against Ecuador would all but guarantee Nigeria’s qualification for the knockout stages, where the competition is set to become even tougher.
Nigeria’s 4-1 win against New Zealand marks a strong start to their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign. The team has demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level, and their victory will give them a significant confidence boost as they prepare for more challenging fixtures ahead. With a talented squad and solid tactics, the Flamingos are emerging as one of the standout teams in the competition.
As Nigeria looks ahead to their next match, fans will be eager to see whether they can maintain this level of performance and continue their quest to bring home their first U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
