National Teams
2024 WAFU-B U-17 Girls Cup: Flamingos edge Cote D’Ivoire 3-2 to set up last-four clash with Benin
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria U-17 women’s national team made it two wins from two group games at the 2024 West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) U-17 Girls Cup with a 3-2 win against Cote D’Ivoire to wrap up Group B matches.
A hat trick from Chidi Harmony propelled the Flamingos to victory despite a seeming fightback from Cote D’Ivoire.
Harmony opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a left-footed strike inside the box after receiving a pass from Janet Akekeromowei.
She doubled the lead four minutes into the second half and finished a one-on-one chance in the 52nd minute to complete her hat trick.
A minute after scoring the third goal, Bankole Olowookere’s side conceded a goal for the first time in the tournament.
After a handball inside the box, the Ivorians had the chance to reduce the deficit to one, and they didn’t miss the opportunity from the spot.
Nigeria held on to pick consecutive wins to top Group B with a maximum of six points from two games.
They will face the Benin Republic in the semi-final for a chance to meet either host, Ghana, or Cote D’Ivoire in the final.
