By Kehinde Ayanboade
The Nigerian Flamingos last night raced to an impressive 4-1 win over New Zealand to open their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Santiago, Dominican Republic, in fine style.
In a great dominating performance, the girls ran to a 3-0 lead just 28 minutes into the game and finished it off on a strong note.
As early as the second minute, Shakirat Moshood got Nigeria in front, before Taiwo Adegoke added a second 11 minutes later.
Fareedat Abdulwaheeb’s brilliant lob caught the goalkeeper off guard in the 28th minute to make it 3-0 in the first half.
The Flamingos took off from where they stopped as skipper Taiwo Afolabi got herself on the scoresheet just 10 minutes into the second period.
She also scored against the same team two years ago.
However, New Zealand pulled a goal back through Hannah Saxon, after she took down a good delivery beautifully before firing a strike past Cristiana Uzoma.
Top scorer Harmony Chidi saw her game short-lived as she was withdrawn in the 85th minute, after failing to score on the night.
The team managed by head coach Bankole Olowookere will next battle Ecuador Saturday in continuation of the competition.