By Harry Awurumibe, Head, Abuja Bureau
Rising star, Yemisi Samuel’s hat-trick, a brace from Rofiat Imuran and an early minute goal scored by forward, Chinyere Kalu ensured that the Flamingos wallop harpless Guinea 6-1 in the first leg of the first round of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African qualifier match played in the Guinean capital city of Conakry.
Kalu started the goal rush as early as in the 3′ thanks to the defensive mix-up in the heart of Guinea vital area just as Samuel hit the second goal in the 11′ while Imuran scored the third goal in the 38′ to put Nigeria 3-0 at half time.
On resumption, the coach Oloowokere Bankole led Flamingos went in search of more goals and it paid off when Imuran scored her brace in the 65′ to put Nigeria in the comfortable position.
But the Guinean Sly Starlets will not give up as they bombarded the Nigerian half and in the process the Flamingos defence capitulated as Guinea scored a face-saver in the 81′ to the relief of the host nation.
The ovation that greeted the Guinean goal lasted for just four minutes as goal poacher, Samuel replied two more goals in the 85′ and 90+1′ to spell G-u-i-n-e-a on the night.
With this result, coach Bankole and his players are as good as having qualified for the next round where they will clash with the winner of Ghana and Liberia pairing with the victor over two legs qualifying for India 2020 later in the year.
Nigeria will host Guinea in the return leg at Agege stadium in Lagos next Saturday.
