Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, delivered a thrilling performance, securing a late 1-0 victory over the Dominican Republic in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The decisive goal came in the 89th minute, courtesy of a powerful 25-yard strike from midfielder Shakirat Moshood, sealing their place at the top of Group A.
The match, held in Santo Domingo, had moments of tension, with Moshood having an earlier attempt ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) just 15 minutes into the game. Captain Taiwo Afolabi also tested the Dominican goalkeeper, but the hosts managed to hold the Flamingos scoreless for most of the match.
Despite intense pressure, it wasn’t until the final minutes that the Flamingos found the breakthrough, with Moshood netting her fourth goal of the tournament. The victory, witnessed by a record crowd of over 13,000 spectators, marked the Flamingos’ third consecutive win, placing them firmly at the top of Group A with nine points.
Coach Bankole Olowokoore praised the team’s resilience and expressed gratitude to Nigerian fans, saying, “We thank Nigerians for their support. We will continue to make them proud.”
With eight goals scored and only one conceded in the group stage, the Flamingos have displayed dominance throughout the tournament. They now look ahead to a tough quarterfinal clash against the United States, with hopes of advancing further in the competition.