Nigeria 2-0 Puerto Rico: Flamingos boost FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup hopes

Nigeria’s Flamingos revived their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico in their Group B match in Rabat on Tuesday night.

The 2022 World Cup bronze-medallists made an aggressive start, pressing high and putting the Puerto Rican defence under early pressure. Both teams produced an energetic opening, but Nigeria soon began to impose themselves through quick movement and direct attacking play.

Their pressure was rewarded in the 25th minute when in-form striker Oluwakemi Adegbuyi converted Queen Joseph’s assist to give Nigeria the lead.

The goal brought greater composure to the Flamingos, who controlled much of the remainder of the first half and retained possession for long periods. Puerto Rico struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pace in forward areas as the West Africans looked to extend their advantage.

Nigeria continued to pursue a second goal after the interval. Queen Joseph, Tosin Rafiu and Favour Nkwocha all went close, while Puerto Rico attempted to change the course of the match with a series of substitutions.

Flamingos coach Hakeem Busari also made changes in the 67th minute, bringing on Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku to provide additional energy and attacking sharpness.

The second goal eventually arrived in the 90th minute. Substitute Precious Oscar rose to head in a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi, securing a 2-0 win and settling the contest.

Nigeria then had to withstand six minutes of added time, but showed the composure required to protect their lead and claim all three points.

The result provides an important boost to the Flamingos after North Korea defeated Poland 6-1 in the other Group B fixture. That heavy defeat for Poland gives Nigeria an advantage in the goal difference equation before their meeting with North Korea on Friday.

The victory keeps Nigeria’s hopes in the competition alive and sets up a decisive Group B encounter against the Koreans.