By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Nigeria’s junior women’s football team, the Flamingos on Saturday played out a goalless draw against their Ethiopian opponents at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup billed for India, courtesy of an aggregate 1-0 scoreline.
Nigeria had two weeks ago defeated Ethiopia 1-0 in the first leg of the final round tie played in the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, thanks to a first half goal by prolific scorer, Opeyemi Ajakaiye.
But the return leg match on Saturday in Abuja nearly turned a nightmare to the home team as the Ethiopians became a a hard nut to crack with the Ethiopians coming close to scoring thrice and hitting the bar twice in the game.
Expectations that the rampant Nigerians will complete the demolition of the East African foes evaporated like early morning dew as the Ethiopian goalkeeper, Abeba Ajibo who was the obvious Woman of the Match with her fine reflexes denied the Flamingos few times they came close to score a goal.
Flamingos Head Coach, Oloowokere Bankole had started the same line-up in Addis Ababa except in one position in the central defence due to injury worries.
The team showed early prospect but fizzled out towards the end of the first half after Ethiopia had rattled the Nigerian cross bar.
On resumption, the Flamingos became more purposeful but it was Ethiopia that hit the upright again after Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Faith Omilana has been beaten flat just as the tide later changed when the host team came out to attack.
Time after time, Nigeria came close to break the deadlock but it was Ethiopia that put up a great resistance to repel the Flamingos who also hit the cross bar from close range.
Nigeria’s potent attack line which had scored 15 goals in five matches featuring Ajakaiye, Omowunmi Bello, Taiwo Afolabi and Captain Alvine Dah-Zossu were made to look ordinary by the Ethiopian defence led by Skipper Meseret Wolde on the day.
Although the two sides failed to score a goal until the Senegalese center referee, Mame Coumba Faye ended the crunchy match, Nigeria qualified for India 2022 on 1-0 goal aggregate.
