Nigeria’s Flamingos Crash Out of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Naijawebinfo reports that the Nigerian U-17 Women’s team, the Flamingos, have been eliminated from the competition after a 2-0 loss to the United States in the quarterfinals of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Katharine Fuller and Kimball Ascanio were the scorers for the Americans, who were seeking to avenge their 2022 quarterfinal defeat to Nigeria.
Fuller opened the scoring with a penalty in the 43rd minute, and Ascanio extended the lead with a goal in the 74th minute, securing a decisive victory for the three-time quarterfinalists.
This loss marked the end of Nigeria’s impressive run in the tournament, during which they had won all their group-stage matches against New Zealand, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, scoring nine goals while conceding just one.
Coach Bankole Olowookere made two substitutions in the first half, bringing on Blessing Ifitezue and Victory Ekezie in place of Peace Effiong and Risikat Azeez. However, these changes failed to turn the tide of the match.
The Americans dominated the second half, with coach Natalia Astrain’s tactical adjustments yielding results. Ascanio, who was brought on as a substitute, scored the decisive goal.
This outcome concludes a disappointing chapter in Nigeria’s campaign, as they had entered the match hoping to repeat their 2022 success against the same team, which they achieved through penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
