The Nigeria Flamingoes on Sunday afternoon at the Samuel Kanyon Do Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia drubbed the Liberian U17 girls 4-1 in the first leg of Round 4, a last hurdle for the 2024 world cup finals from the African Zone.
Nigeria was too much for the Liberian girls as Shakirat Moshood scored the first goal in the 19th minute; Peace Effiong scored the second goal in the 29th minute and goal machine, Harmony Chidi put in the 3rd goal before half time.
Blessing went on rampage to score Nigeria’s 4th goal in the 74th minute and when the crowd was expecting Nigeria to completely slaughter the Liberians a penalty was awarded them neatly tucked in for their only goal.
Nigeria made great effort to score more goals but the Liberians refused to yield ground resulting in Harmony being given a discordant tune with a hacking down attracting yellow card but the resultant kick went straight into the hands of the Liberian goalkeeper.
Nigerian football fans could not watch the match live but we commend Diamond Fountain Media that live streamed the match through her TV Channel, CITYSPORTS. The channel will be covering live the match between the Super Eagles and Benin Republic on Monday from Abidjan,
Nigerian Coach, Bankole Olowookere on arrival in Monrovia had said the Liberians are very hospitable but boasted Flamingoes will win in Liberia.
Both teams have no record of a previous meeting. The Liberian babes with no nickname trying to qualify for the world cup grand finale always drop out in the first round and this is the first time ever the team would reach the African zone final hurdle. The team reached Round One in 2008 and 2022.
To meet the Flamingoes, Liberia lost 1-3 to Senegal on 12th May 2024 and won the return leg in Monrovia 2-0 20th May 2024. The team played three friendly matches before meeting Senegal all with Sierra Leone on 1st March 2024 when they played 1-1; on 6th March 2024 when she lost by a lone goal and on 8th March 2024 when they again played 1-1.
The Flamingoes had on 30th October 2022 played 3-3 with Germany in a world cup duel; defeated Central African Republic girls 6-0 at their backyard on 4th February 2024 and completed the routing on 9th February 2024 making 12 goals aggregate. The Flamingoes had played 1-1 with the Burkina Faso girls before the second leg which Nigeria won 6-0 in Abuja.
Nigeria is far more superior than Liberia having been to the world cup 6 times but the best achievement was a Bronze at India in 2022. Nigeria after playing 3-3 with Germany at Mumbai Navi Stadium won on penalties with Uruguay Referee Anahi Fernandez in charge. Nigeria lost the semifinal to Colombia on penalties after 0-0 and lost by the gap of the skin of the tooth 5-6.
Nigeria had won the CAF U17 tournaments six times out of the seven times, in 2008; 2010; 2012; 2013; 2016 and 2022.
The second leg to determine final qualification to Dominican Republic 2024 Tournament Finals will take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Friday 14th June at 4pm.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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