By

Eniola Olatunji 

The Flamingoes of Nigeria on Wednesday scored the fastest goal of the Dominican Republic U17 female world in the 2nd minute finally taking their opponents New Zealand to the cleaners in a 4-1 victory.

The score line alone is an improvement for New Zealand who were whipped 4-0 by Nigeria at the last games in India. 

Cover photo: Flamingoes  after the victory.

Nigeria’s goal monger Harmony Chidi got Shakirat Moshood to score the opening goal in the 2nd minute; Remo Stars overlapping defender, Taiwo Adegoke got Opeyemi Abdulwahab midfield pass to score the 2nd goal in the 12th minute and in the 28th minute, Shakirat Moshood laced on Opeyemi for Nigeria’s 3rd goal before both teams went on break.

Nigeria registered the 4th goal in the 55th minute when Adegoke got captain Taiwo Afolabi to score and New Zealand’s consolation goal came from an assist given by Ela Jerez from the outside right to Hannah Saxon in the 60th minute before Coach Olowookere of Nigeria pulled out goal machine that did not function in the match, Harmony Chidi in the 85th minute.

Nigeria completely dominated the match with 32-3 shots at goal; 10-1 on target; 68-32% ball possession; stringed 528-251 passes but Nigeria was more rough with 2-4 foul calls also earning 12-2 corner kicks without dividends. 

New Zealand’s Keeper had 6 saves; the NZ defenders made 24-11 clearances and intercepted more with 14 -8 times with 8-2 blocks which Nigeria need to look at in the next game.

In a Group B match played at Estadio Felix Sanchez, Spain that got an own goal in the 3rd minute  through J Travers beat the USA 3-1 to go ahead in the group.    

Nigeria and New Zealand met once and it was a disaster for New Zealand as the Flamingoes pumped in two goals in each half to make four goals in group B of the last India 2022 games played on 14th October that year.

New Zealand had on 19th July 2019 lost 0-2 to Chile and on 21st July 2019 defeated Thailand in a women’s tournament but at the group B stages of the last world cup she was thrashed by Chile again 3-1; whipped by Nigeria 4-0 and nipped by Germany 3-1 meaning she scored 2 goals and conceded 10 telling you New Zealand does not have good defence.

High scoring Nigeria on 9th February 2024 walloped Central African Republic 6-0; played 1-1 with Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, beat the Burkina Babes in Lagos 6-0 on 18th March 2024; tore Liberia to pieces at their backyard 4-1 on 9th June 2024 and spanked the Liberians on the 2nd leg in Lagos 2-0. 

Look at the results of the Nigerian matches at the 2022 games. Nigeria won Bronze in India when she beat same Germany 3-2 on penalties after 3-3 at full time at Patil stadium Navi Munbai. Nigeria lost the semifinal to Columbia 5-6 on penalties after a goalless full time at Margao. At the quarterfinal, Nigeria played 1-1 with the USA at full time and moved on via 4-3 penalty shootouts. She lost to Germany 1-2; bashed New Zealand 4-0 and dismissed Chile 2-1 at the Group B stages.

Apart from the Bronze medal, Nigeria was quarterfinalists in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

New Zealand has made 7 appearances meaning the team has been in all tournaments after hosting the maiden edition in 2008 but they got a podium finish with bronze in 2018. In all other appearances 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2022 they were ousted at the group stages.  

Nigeria will tackle Ecuador next on Saturday at 2100 while Dominic Republic will play at midnight against New Zealand. Meanwhile Dominic Republic will play their first game against Ecuador this midnight that South Korea in group B will play Columbia.. At 2100 hours of Thursday, North Korea will play Mexico in group C and Japan will face Poland in group D.