Nigeria’s Flamingos kicked off their 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign in style, securing an emphatic 4-1 victory over New Zealand.
The Nigerian side dominated from the outset, with their attacking prowess on full display in the opening 30 minutes.
Shakirat Moshood opened the scoring just two minutes into the match, setting the tone for the Flamingos’ aggressive play.
Eleven minutes later, Taiwo Adegoke added to the tally, giving Nigeria a comfortable 2-0 lead.
New Zealand struggled to cope with the pace and creativity of the Nigerian forwards, and in the 28th minute, Fareedat Abdulwaheeb delivered a stunning lob from outside the box that left the New Zealand goalkeeper helpless, extending the scoreline to 3-0 before the halftime whistle.
After the break, the Flamingos continued to press their advantage. Taiwo Afolabi found the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half, making it 4-0.
However, New Zealand managed to salvage some pride in the 60th minute when Hannah Saxon scored a consolation goal, preventing a complete shutout.
With this comprehensive win, Nigeria set their sights on their next match against Ecuador, scheduled for Saturday, where they’ll aim to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the tournament.
