Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, fired from all cylinders to record a 9-0 win over their counterparts from Niger Republic on Thursday, in the second match of this year’s WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup, taking place in Ghana.
The Flamingos started brilliantly, with Aishat Animashaun scoring after only five minutes, following an in-swinger by Mary Mamudu. FIFA World Cup star Shakirat Moshood then started her own song, as she produced a screamer from 35 yards that saw the ball sail above Nigerien goalkeeper Ndiaye Fatai Basiru for the second goal in the 17th minute.
Six minutes later, the ever-relentless Moshood scored her second and Nigeria’s third, assisted by Animashaun, and in the 33rd minute, Janet Akekoromowei made it four by netting from close range.
Akekoromowei escaped the attention of Nigerien defenders in the 42nd minute to power home for Nigeria’s fifth, and nicked her hat-trick almost immediately after with a powerful header.
Moshood, not to be outdone before recess, got her own hat-trick in the 45th minute to make it 7-0 against the hapless neighbours-to-the-north at half time.
Moshood was on song again just before the hour, collecting the ball high up the pitch and making a solo drive to fire past Ndiaye for her fourth and Nigeria’s eighth.
With 11 minutes left on the clock, Peace Effiong opted to have her own name on the scoresheet, when she fired from outside the box to beat Ndiaye for Nigeria’s ninth goal.
The Flamingos will next take on their counterparts from Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.
8 Comments
Moshood is the yamal of Nigeria and Super falcons must cap her without any excuses.
chima E-diot samuel
sharap dere! meschionugi. wat did yuh knows about yamal?
E-diot lmaaoo!
Kolo I think say update go don flush you but I was wrong. You go die very soon mark my word.
Great start from the Flamingos.
Hopefully they won’t suffer from peaking early. Blowing Niger out of the park with an emphatic finish is a statement.
My prayer is that the maintain the tempo all the way to the final where they will lift the trophy.
Tougher teams await.
Ramota Kareem didn’t make the cut for this tournament; I guess she failed to impress in the world cup. If she works harder, we might see her pop up in any of the national teams in the future.
For those who made the cut, well done for a flying start.
That girl shakirat moshood is too good look at the way she organises the team always linking the defence and attack effectively, she possessed the kind of Messi inspirational approaches to any match this is the first time I m seeing a Nigerian midfielder shutting from long range and scores she did it in last u17 women’s FIFA world cup , this player should be drafted immediately into the senior team the falcons because non of the players does that kind of job in super falcons look at the friendly match against France the midfield was absolutely nothing to write home about putting lots of pressures on the defence and the goalkeeper the super falcons coaches should extend an invitation to this player as soon as possible.
The NFF has a golden opportunity here, and I pray they don’t pull a typical “Naija move” by letting these U-17 Flamingoes slip through the cracks like their illustrious but wasted predecessors. This team is a goldmine. I repeat: a “goldmine”. Coach Olowookere has shaped them into a squad that plays with precision, intent, and flair. Watching their training the other day, I saw a masterclass in organization—rotation, crisp passing in tight spaces, long balls with purpose, and those cannon-like shots that can send goalkeepers into early retirement. This team isn’t just talented; they’re tactical artists in the making.
Yes, the Americans edged them out, but come on! This is the USA—world football royalty with all their science, structure, and strategy. Yet our girls held their own and showed flashes of brilliance that hinted at something greater. If luck had smiled a little wider, they could’ve been in the final, facing that impressive Korean team. But let’s leave the “what-ifs” aside for now and focus on the qualities that make this team a ticking time bomb of potential.
Shooting! Let me spell it out: “S-H-O-O-T-I-N-G”. These girls can unleash rockets from anywhere. Left flank, right flank, 30 yards out—pick a spot, and they’ll send a missile your way. Can we say the same for the current Super Falcons? I challenge anyone to name one senior player who consistently threatens goalkeepers with long-range efforts. Exactly. This ability is priceless, especially in those tight games where the referee and home crowd are ganging up on you (hello, Morocco WAFCON 2022). Imagine someone like Shakirat Mashood sending in a screamer—BOOM. End of discussion, game over. Long-range artillery isn’t just flashy; it’s practical, especially against undertrained goalkeepers in most African teams, I mean, goaltenders, who fumble shots like hot potatoes.
Now let’s talk about set pieces. This is where the Flamingoes are lightyears ahead of the Falcons. These girls have players who can curl, blast, or dink the ball with precision. When was the last time you saw the Super Falcons score a free kick? I’ll wait. Set pieces win games, period. If nurtured properly, this team could turn dead-ball situations into a goldmine. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love seeing a goalkeeper freeze as a ball sails into the top corner? We simply need such quality in the Super Falcons.
But here’s the kicker: talent alone isn’t enough. The NFF needs to wake up and do what needs to be done. These girls must be integrated into the senior team with a proper transition plan. And no, this isn’t about waiting until they’re “ready.” They’re already more ready than half the Falcons squad! Send them to high-level tournaments, give them competitive minutes, and watch them grow into match-winners.
And while we’re at it, let’s talk about Coach Olowookere. For sure, he’s not a finishes product, but this guy is a revelation. His tactical acumen and ability to maximize his players’ strengths are glaring. Under his watch, we’ve seen creativity, discipline, and flair in equal measure. Why not promote him to the Super Falcons? If not now, at least in the future. Of course, he needs advanced training and exposure to international coaching practices, but he’s already shown he has the chops to take Nigerian women’s football to new heights. Why import mediocrity when you have brilliance brewing at home?
I stand bold to say this Flamingoes team isn’t just the future; they’re the now. Their talent is undeniable, their potential limitless, and their coach inspirational. I hope the NFF realizes this before we turn yet another promising squad into a “what could have been” story. For now, let’s cheer them on in the ongoing WAFU B U-17 tournament and pray the powers that be don’t fumble this bag. Nigerian football doesn’t get many second chances—let’s not waste this one.
Bro Papafem, you mean their “illustrious but wasted predecessors” such as Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Uchiebe, Gift Monday, Frances Ordega, Desire Oparanozie, Ngozi Okobi, Ngozi Ebere, Halimatu Ayinde, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Uchenna Kanu, Chidinma Okeke, Vivian Ikechukwu, Akudo Ogbonna, Peace Efih, Comfort Folurunsho, etc.?
Niger should send a protest to CAF asap.
Ahn ahn! Won fe pa won ni? Dem wan kill dem?
9 goals to nothing. Even if you hate your opponent so much and you intend to kill dem with otapiapia after the game, 9-0 is still too much. This is overkill. You might as well use an AK 47 to kill mosuitoes.
Our players should take it easy, Your opponents are somebody’s children. Please don’t kill them with goals.