By Kayode Adegbile
Nigeria U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos have cruise into the final round of the African qualification series for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals after thrashing Burkina Faso girls 6-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
The Nigerian side drew 1-1 with the Burkina Faso girls in the first leg played in Bamako,Mali on Saturday May 11 to leave the second leg open but the Flamingos gave good account of themselves before their supporters who stormed the stadium to cheer them to victory.
The lady of the match, Harmony Chidi, scored hat trick from the six goals to throw the whole stadium into jubilation.
She put the Nigeria U17 girls in the lead 11 minutes into the game, capitalizing on a defensive error from Faridatou Ouedraogo and Obaidatou Nkiema, to dribble pass goalkeeper Agueratou Baguian.
Four minutes later, Shakirat Moshood’s angled shot was foiled by the upright but in the 27th minute, Peace Effiong’s dashing run ended with a tame shot.
Effiong made amends in the 34th minute, riding a couple of rough tackles to flash past the overworked Baguian as spectators egged the Flamingos on.
In the second half, the Burkinabes goalkeeper Baguian saved two excellent balls from scoring.
However, in the 74th minute, Taiwo Afolabi’s rocket volley from 20 yards hit crossbar, but Chidi was on hand to nod it into the net.
Also, substitute Ramota Kareem increased the tally to four in the 84th minute while minutes later, Chidi got her hat-trick with a dipping shot. With one minute left to the stoppage time, Effiong got her brace after a wonderful team work.
The victory has earned Nigeria a 7-1 aggregate win, and a place in the final round against the winner of the Senegal/Liberia fixture.
The first leg is scheduled for Saturday, June 8.
