Nigeria’s U17 Women team, the Flamingos, are through to the quarter final of the ongoing cadet Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica after squeezing out a 2-1 win against Colombia in the early hours of Thursday.
The Flamingos who before the tie had promised a goals feast could not do same against the resolute South Americans who actually took the lead before the Coach Bala Nkiyu tutored side rallied for an equaliser and then secured a winning goal.
Desperate for all the three points to stay alive in Group D, Colombia burst out of the blocks with a third minute goal as Angie Rodriguez looped a header from a perfect Nancy Acosta cross, over the head of stranded goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke.
Nigeria drew level just past the midway point of the opening half with Joy Bokiri curling in a perfectly flighted free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.
The Flamingos finally took the lead for the first time approaching the hour mark as some sloppy marking from a corner allowed the tall figure of Uchenna Kanu to nod the ball into the net unchallenged.
The Flamingos finally took the lead for the first time approaching the hour mark as some sloppy marking from a corner allowed the tall figure of Uchenna Kanu to nod the ball into the net unchallenged.
Midfielder Ihuoma Onyebuchi, who was voted man-of-the-match, attempted to increase Nigeria’s lead but her shot from distance rattled the Colombia crossbar as the South Americans could no longer keep pace with the Flamingos.
Colombia goalkeeper, Monica Florez, memorably pulled off four successive blocks during one almighty goalmouth scramble as they desperately hung on.
The win leaves Nigeria tied on six points with Mexico and the two teams will battle it out on Monday morning to know who finishes on top of Group D, while Colombia and China PR who are yet to record any point will cancel out each in an inconsequential match same time on Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment