The Flamingos triumphed over the Quisqueyanas of the Dominican Republic with a score of 1-0 in their final group match of the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, held in the early hours of Wednesday at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium.
With their qualification secured, Coach Bankole Olowookere opted to make several adjustments to the starting lineup, granting Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue, and Ramotallahi Kareem their inaugural starts of the tournament.
These players took the places of Oonyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong, and Harmony Chidi, who were included among the substitutes for the first time.
For 89 minutes, a combination of the post, the bar, wayward Nigerian finishing and keeper Jaylene Rondon had the Dominican Republic on course for a famous point against one of the powerhouse nations at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™.
In the end their hearts were broken by a late wonder strike from one of the stars of the tournament but not before they’d put up a fabulous, rearguard, resistance. The final shot tally read 36-3 in favour of Nigeria, the corners ran 16-0 and the hosts rarely ventured outside their own half but they defended like their lives depended upon it.
Aminat Moshood found the back of the net in the 11th minute following an impressive play by Ramatalahi Kareem; however, the goal was disallowed.
A lapse in defensive concentration allowed Alexa Isabella Castro to seize an opportunity to score for the Dominican Republic, but her attempt failed to hit the target.
Jaylene Rondon thwarted Moshood’s attempt to score, and Blessing Ifitezue’s follow-up shot was also saved by the Dominican Republic goalkeeper.
The first half concluded without any goals, marking the first time the Flamingos had failed to score in the opening half of the competition, largely due to the strong defensive performance of the Dominican Republic.
The second half commenced in a similar fashion to the first, with Nigeria struggling to generate clear scoring chances.
Three minutes after the hour mark, Olowookere implemented his first substitutions, bringing Effiong on for Aishat Animashaun and Chidi in for Kareem.
In the 72nd minute, Chidi located Taiwo Adegoke’s run at the far post, but the fullback was unable to convert the opportunity.
With just four minutes remaining in regular time, Chidi nearly broke the deadlock with a header, only to be denied by the crossbar.
Dominican keeper Rondon had the game of her life, thwarting Nigeria time and time again but there was little she could do with the strike that settled it.
Two minutes later, the Flamingos finally achieved a breakthrough thanks to a spectacular long-range shot from Moshood.
New adidas Golden Boot leader Moshood collecting the ball 25-yards from goal, teeing it up on her left and launching a rocket that flew past Rondon a minute from the end of regulation time.
During stoppage time, centre-back Ayoade Ibrahim narrowly avoided a red card for a last-minute tackle, as he was judged to have successfully played the ball before colliding with the opponent.
Nigeria ending the group phase with three straight wins to set up a second straight quarterfinal bout with USA while Dominican Republic finish with just the one point but plenty of new admirers and belief for the future.
