Champion League
FIFA U17 WWC: Flamingos pip Chile to set up quarterfinal clash with USA
By Sabitu Akano
Nigeria’s U17 women’s team booked their place in the quarterfinal of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India after a 2-1 victory over Chile in their final Group B match on Monday.
They victory saw the West Africans set up last eight date with USA on Friday in one of the four quarterfinal matches at the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
The Flamingos started from their 2-1 loss to Germany in their opener before bouncing back to beat New Zealand 4-0 in the second encounter of Group B.
With a point needed to book their place in the knockout stages, the goal-hungry Nigerians continued in their rich vein of form as they stormed to a lead as early as within four minutes through Blessing Emmanuel.
After gaining driving seat, the Africans came close severally but met a brick wall from the Chilean defence as the South Americans held on in bid to fight back into the encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
With at least 25 attempts, the Flamingos search for the second continued until the breakthrough eventually came through Bisola Mosaku in the 82nd minute to boost their quarterfinal hopes.
Four minutes from time, Nigeria defender Mamuso Edafe was adjudged by VAR to have handled the ball in the box in the 86th minute, gifting the Chileans a penalty which Roverner Tali converted to pull one back.
At the death, the Nigerians held on to their narrow lead to avoid any late slip up and guaranteed their progression to the last eight of the competition as the Group B runners up behind leaders Germany.
Meanwhile, group B leaders, Germany will face group A runners-up Brazil in another quarterfinal duel. Brazil humiliated the hosts amd debutants, India 5-0 in last group game on Monday.
Exceptional Nigeria’s Opeyemi Ajakaye has won two consecutive Man of the Match in Flamingoes second and last group matches. Nigeria will meet United States of America at 16:30 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on Friday.
