Nigeria’s Flamingos will face Italy in the round of 16 at the U-17 FIFA women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos booked their place after thrashing Samoa 4-0 in their final Group D game on Saturday.
The big win was enough to see them finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
They will now take on Italy on Tuesday, October 28 in the first knockout round.
To reach the round of 16, Italy topped Group A after winning all their three games.
Also Read: 2025 U-17 WWC: Flamingos Deserved Win Over Samoa — Olowookere
They will began their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica before overcoming hosts Morocco 3-1.
In their final group match they edged out Brazil 4-3 to end on high.
After losing their opening two group fixtures, the Flamingos outclassed Samoa with a dominant win.
Queen Joseph scored a brace while captain Shakirat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan were also on target.
Joseph netted the opening goal in the 13th minute and got on the score sheet again on 28 minutes for her second goal to put her side 2-0 ahead.
Moshood grabbed the third goal in the 34th minute from the penalty spot before Oduntan added the fourth on 67 minutes.
By James Agberebi
5 Comments
44 goals scored in 10 matches and then puff, New Zealand beats us in the 11th friendly. 4-3.
That same New Zealand didn’t get one point in their WC group, conceded 11 and scored only one.
In relationship, that is a red flag
Enough of this coach after this tournament. Let’s try new hands who is neither tribalistic nor one-dimensional in formations
@Sly, this team can still fly. Give them a chance.
It was indeed a much improved performance from Nigeria’s Flamingos against their U-17 counterparts this weekend.
Bankole’s young babes cruised to a 4-0 victory, effectively setting a up a date with high flying Italy.
Having lost their first 2 matches, elimination at the group stages was staring them in the face.
But they pulled the chestnut out of the fire with a ruthless display that was laced with effectiveness across the park.
Bankole replaced the butterfingers goalkeeper with Echefu who will have her work cut out against Italy; against Samoa, she wasn’t overly troubled but she looked the part with her commanding aura.
4-4-2 formation served the team well particularly down the flanks where the number 7 Terlumu rules the roost. The girl was penetrative, incisive and articulate in her play. Her take-ons were direct and compelling. Her passes were precise. Overall, on the ball, her play was a thing of beauty, poise and eloquence – a standout.
On the right, number 8 Moshood often over-egged her pudding with her dribbles overstaying its welcome. She must learn to dwell less on the ball and be more decisive .
The team has a knack of delivering defence splitting passes from midfield to the wingers which left the Samoans chasing shadows on several occasions.
The team still over-indulged on meaningless and disgraceful long range shots. Seeing how they opened up Samoa with intricate passes severally, you are left to wonder why they piss on their own parade by shooting aimlessly.
The players looked comfortable in possession and exhibited competent ball control.
I implore anyone who didn’t see the match live to watch the highlights then pay attention to the build up for the 3rd goal. It was mind-blowing in conception and jaw dropping in execution, culminating in Terlumu, on the lam from her markers, squaring across to Joseph to steal away from her markers and stab home with adroitness.
In all, it was a match well worth watching. Their style of play captured my attention and locked it in place.
But one has to be mindful that the opposition on the night was not the strongest.
Against Italy, these players and their coaches will have to dig deep and sing hard for their supper.
Some of you guys are just something else, how can you rate this Flamingo U17 team that only managed to defeat a weak Samoan team made up of SALES GIRLS AND HAIR DRESSERS. Let wait and see, now that the girls has been separated from the woman, we will now know how good the team is. At this stage every team must bring their A GAME TO THE TABLE, YOU EITHER DELETE YOUR OPPONENT OR GET DELETED.We will know the stuff the team and Coach is made up of on Tuesday. Good luck to the FLAMINGOS.
@Deo your analysis will be the reason I’m going to watch this girls match on Tuesday for the first time in the ongoing tournament, I hope they won’t disappoint you. Let’s go girls.