U17 World Cup: Flamingos Beat Chile, Face USA In Quarter-finals

Nigeria’s Flamingos will take on the United States of America in the quarter-finals of the U-17 women’s World Cup in India.

The pairing was confirmed after the USA thrashed Morocco 4-0 in their final Group A game to finish top on Monday.

It is the Americans’ second win of the World Cup after winning one and drawing one of their two opening group fixtures.

Germany, who finished ahead of the Flamingos in Group B, will take on Group A runners-up Brazil in the knockout round.

Nigeria’s Flamingoes earlier progressed to the  quarter-finals of the tournament after scooping all three points from Chile with a 2-1 win in their final group match yesterday.

Blessing Emmanuel’s goal in the 4th minute of the game and Bisola Mosaku’s strike off a free-kick by dead-ball artist Miracle Usani with eight minutes left was enough to see Nigeria through at the Kalinga Stadium, despite a late penalty converted by Roverner Tali for Chile.

The win earned the Flamingoes a place in the quarter finals on Friday, with either USA or Brazil as opponents.

As was the case against New Zealand on Friday, the Flamingos created a slew of opportunities that were not converted, but Head Coach Bankole Olowookere assured the team will get even better as the tournament progresses.

“We missed a number of chances again, but I like the spirit of the team and we will get better as we go on in the competition. I am happy we made it into the last eight, and that we sustained our winning mentality despite the fact that we only needed a draw to sail through.”

Germany’s 3-1 win over New Zealand in the other match of Group B meant the Germans finished with the maximum nine points in the group phase, having scored a total of 11 goals conceding only two.

Nigeria finished with six points, and a plus six goals advantage after scoring seven goals and conceding only two.