An 89th-minute goal secured a dramatic victory for Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, against host nation Dominican Republic early Wednesday in Santo Domingo during the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Midfielder Shakirat Moshood struck from 25 yards with a powerful left-footed shot, finding the back of the net and marking her fourth goal of the tournament.
Earlier in the match, a goal from Moshood was disallowed for offside after a VAR review, and team captain Taiwo Afolabi forced a save from the Dominican goalkeeper with a strong attempt.
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After halftime, the Flamingos continued to apply pressure until Moshood finally found the goal.
This victory marked the Flamingos’ third straight win, allowing them to finish atop Group A with nine points, ahead of Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and New Zealand.
The team has been in outstanding form, scoring eight goals while conceding just one in the tournament.
They began with an impressive 4-1 win over New Zealand in their opener at Cibao Stadium, followed by a commanding 4-0 victory against Ecuador.
Coach Bankole Olowokoore expressed his confidence in the team’s performance, thanking supporters and promising to bring them joy: “We will not change our messages to Nigerians but to thank and appreciate them for their support. They should keep supporting us, and we will make them proud. This is a promise we made before we left Nigeria.”
Notably, the match attracted a record crowd of 13,535, making it the highest-attended football match for any Dominican Republic national team.
Next up for the Flamingos is a quarterfinal showdown against the United States.
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