Harmony Chidi’s brace seals U17 World World Cup ticket for Nigeria against Liberia

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s U-17 girls have qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after a 2-0 win against Liberia in the return leg of the final qualifying round at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

The first leg in Monrovia had ended 4-1 in favour of Bankole Olowookere’s side last Sunday.

In the second leg, a goal in each half from Imo Striker Queens forward, Harmony Chidi was enough to seal the eighth qualification ticket to the youth championship for the West Africans.

Chidi broke the deadlock in the fourth minute for the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medalist with a good finish from a cross.

In the 63rd minute, a brilliant piece of play by Chidi doubled the lead sealing a 6-1 aggregate victory over their West African foes.

The Nigerian team became the 14th team to qualify for the tournament which will take place in Dominican Republic.

Nigeria joins the hosts, the Dominican Republic, the United States of America (USA), and Mexico from the Concacaf (North America)t, as well as South American representatives – Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Others already through are Japan, Korea DPR, and Korea Republic from Asia while holders Spain, England, and Poland qualified from Europe alongside New Zealand from Oceania.