By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Three goals scored by Blessing Emmanuel (36′), Oluwatunmininu Adebayo (66′) and Taiwo Ajakaiye (76′) ensured that Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, Flamingos thrashed host, DR Congo’s U-17 team 3-0 in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 African qualifiers second round first leg match on Sunday.
The match played in Kinshas, the Congolese capital saw the Flamingos dominate their DR Congo opponents as the three-time FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists started the game like a house on fire and it was a big surprise the opening goal did not come until the 36th minute when Emmanuel struck.
Nigeria’s overlapping defender, Miracle Usani drove the ball forward and pulled out for Emmanuel to score the Flamingos’ first goal of the day even as the team missed a couple of chances and the referee also shunned a penalty appeals as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.
On resumption, the Flamingos blasted a couple of free-kicks against the wall, and goalkeeper Faith Omilana ensured there was no silver lining for the home team.
But in the 63rd minute, Coach Bankole Olowookere threw Raheemot Adebayo and Anastasia Atume into the fray, pulling out Aminat Bello and Kafayat Bashiru. The changes brought instant reward as Atume was fouled near the Congolese goal area, and Tumininu Adeshina rammed the ball into the net for Nigeria’s second.
Atume missed a sitter two minutes later, but with 14 minutes to go, Taiwo Ajakaye took on the Congolese defence and teased out goalkeeper Lumela before finishing smoothly for Nigeria’s third goal. The Congolese finished the tie with only 10 players after Nwanji was shown the red card 20 minutes to full time.
Both teams clash again on Saturday, 19th March at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with the Flamingos already with a leg into the third round, where they have the U17 girls of Egypt waiting.
