Nigeria’s Flamingos secured a place in the final qualifying round of the 2023 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Abuja on Saturday.
Bankole Olowookere’s side won the two-legged contest 7-1 on aggregate.
Harmony Chidi scored a hat-trick for the Flamingos in the encounter.
Chidi also scored Nigeria’s only goal in the first leg.
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Forward Peace Effiong bagged a brace, while Ramota Kareem scored the other goal.
Flamingos will face either Senegal or Liberia in the final round.
Three teams will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic.
The competition will run from October 16 to November 3, 2024.
Nigeria finished second at the last edition of the competition hosted by India.
7 Comments
7-1 on aggregate!
Chidi is the new name up and coming.
These under 17 competitions are the very cause of African football crisis. Age cheating and nothing else. FIFA should just cancel it.
If Saka was in Africa, he would be playing in the under 17 with age 14 or 15
Flamingos Fly First Class to Final Round of U-17 Women World Cup Qualifiers: Nigeria 6:0 Burkina Faso (7:1 on Aggregate)
It took just 11 minutes for ever so charming Chidi Harmony to profit from a poor back pass to power Nigeria ahead in what would eventually be a ruthless rout against Burkina Faso in the penultimate round of U-17 World Cup qualifiers in Abuja this weekend.
It was a compelling performance by Bankole’s Babes who took no quarters. The victory was one thing but the manner in which it was attained portrayed a team of young ladies all singing from the same hymn book.
Okay, the Flamingos gave the ball away in dangerous defensive places at times which could have been punished by a more formidable opponent. Some of their throw-in routines were inadequate as they fell harmlessly into opposition hands. The freekicks given to them (and executed by Taiwo Afolabi) were often gathered comfortably by the Burkinabe goalie and Nigeria’s corner kick routines with two players passing to each other before launching a cross became predictable and stale. They were way too narrow at times in their offensive forays without taking much advantage of width, leading to low spatial awareness.
It was also very frustrating to see Chidi Harmony, who would gain fame in the match with a fabulous hat-trick, mistime her run and stray offside on occasions. In one instance, Effiong elected to shoot at goal after a marauding run (which the goalkeeper easily gathered) with Harmony moving cloak and dagger into a dangerous area to stab home, which called to question Effiong’s questionable decision making approach in key situations. Effiong would also miss a sitter when put though on goal with a delightful through pass by the impressive number 14 winger Kudirat. In fact, Effiong missed a number to telling chances, often 1-1 with the goalkeeper, to add to her goal tally.
However, overall, the Flamingos still delivered the goods across several levels. They moved the ball along at fine pace – often on grass with clever runs buttressed by swift and purposeful passing routines – to dominate play, dictate the tempo and impose their will on the opposition. Their long balls from deep were delightful leading to goal scoring moments. They also launched some audacious long shots which kept the Burkinabe defence on its toes.
In all, the players were all very impressive in the execution of their duties.
The first half was a bit cagey as the Burkinabes tried to balance defence and offensive responsibilities. However, as the game was slowly slipping through their fingers, Burkina Faso became more adventurous offensively which created space at their rear that Nigeria exploited mercilessly. Nigeria had two penalty shouts which seemed very compelling on first viewing but the referee offered no dice.
However all the goals were fabulous!
After Burkina Faso defenders had been asleep on the wheel for Harmony to steal behind and make it 1:0 in 11 minutes, Effiong made it 2:0 in 34 minutes after Abidemi’s tantalising through pass freed her to run, stumble, regain her footing and smash home.
Abidemi’s fiendish shot would crash the bar before Harmony took up a great position to profit off the rebound and head home with brutal intentions to make it 3:0 in 73 minutes. The same Harmony would turn provider in 83 minutes with a glorious high through ball from midfield for Ramota to ram though the goalie and whallop into an empty net for 4:0.
It was now Ramota’s turn to turn supplier in 85 minutes after she generously fed it on a plate for Harmony to stab home a low volley for her hat trick for it to be 5:0.
The icing on the cake was arguably the peak of the bunch as Effiong evaded 2 machete hack jobs to cut across 2 defenders a smash home from just inside the 18 yard box to make it 6:0 on the night. She is now the joint second highest goal scorer of the qualifying series with 6 goals to her name.
Needless to say Bankole’s girls did the business in style. They were physically imposing and tactically tuned in. The pulled together and played for each other. The sense of purpose and direction was evident and a healthy number of exceptional players like Ramota, Harmony, Effiong, Arogundare, and Afolabi, to mention a few.
Next stop? Probably Senegal in June. It will be tough to be honest but these players have it in them to go all the way.
@deo I would like to call your attention to this Flying Eagles Peformance and the coach Oga Garba’s Team Selection and Why it is important to be Critical when it is right and Not try to show Understanding and Optimisim in Every sitution even when it is glaringly criminal and unjust. Look at the balance in the team the names on the scoresheet you can see he selected based on Ability and merit not which Region of the country you are from as 1 certain Mr Bosso… and the results are clear thank God, Bosso is not part of Under 17 because this is the exact age group or youth team that brings us the talent pool we are enjoying and reaping from today due to thier Achievments of 2013 and 15 respectively, Due to Man City,Arsenal. and Wolvesburg in Germany to name a few, and Other big teams Shrewd Scouting.
If We have Tribalistic And Sentimental Coaches in this Specific Age Group Under 17 it will effectively stop all talent coming out of Nigeria.
Kudos to you Oga Marnu Garba Ride on
Not stop per say but Halt the frequency of our Turn over of talents from the Academies(which remains our Hub of supremely talented players coming out of Nigeria).