Nigeria Defeats Dominican Republic 1-0 in FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

October 23, 2024
6:15 am

In a thrilling encounter at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Flamingos emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win against the Dominican Republic. The match took place early Wednesday morning and saw a late strike from Shakirat Moshood secure the victory, propelling the Flamingos to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

The Flamingos showcased their strength throughout the group stage, finishing with three wins in Group A. They began their campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over New Zealand, followed by a dominating 4-0 win against Ecuador. Their consistent performance set them up for this crucial match against the host nation, Dominican Republic.

In the match against the Dominican Republic, Shakirat Moshood was the star of the show. Although the Flamingos thought they had taken the lead in the 15th minute when Moshood found the net, the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. This setback did not deter the team. Captain Taiwo Afolabi made a strong effort in the 28th minute, launching a powerful shot from distance that was saved by the Dominican goalkeeper.

As the match progressed, the Flamingos maintained their attacking pressure. With ten minutes remaining in the first half, the Dominican Republic almost capitalized on a defensive mix-up by the Flamingos, but their attempt to score was thwarted.

The breakthrough finally came late in the second half when Moshood found the back of the net, securing her fourth goal of the tournament. This crucial goal not only solidified the Flamingos’ win but also demonstrated Moshood’s skill and determination on the field.

With their victory, the Flamingos will now face the United States in the quarter-finals on October 26, 2024. The Americans finished second in Group B after two wins and one defeat, notably losing 3-1 to Spain in their opening match. They rebounded with convincing wins against Colombia (2-0) and South Korea (5-0), showcasing their strength.

This upcoming match is particularly exciting for the Flamingos, as they have previously faced the USA in the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup. In that encounter, the Flamingos triumphed in a dramatic penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time. This history adds an extra layer of anticipation to the clash, as both teams aim to advance further in the tournament.