Nigeria’s Flamingos made a bold statement at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic with a commanding 4-0 victory against Ecuador in their second Group A match on Saturday night. The match, held at Estadio Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros, saw the Nigerian side dominate from start to finish.

Led by coach Bankole Olowookere, the Flamingos outclassed their South American opponents, earning their second win of the tournament and securing a spot in the quarter-finals as the first team to do so, with six points from two matches.

Shakirat Moshood was the standout performer, scoring twice. She opened the scoring in the 28th minute from the penalty spot and sealed the victory with her second goal deep into stoppage time. Harmony Chidi extended Nigeria’s lead in the 54th minute, while Peace Effiong added a third to complete the rout.

Nigeria’s relentless attacking approach kept Ecuador on the defensive throughout the match, with the Flamingos firing 31 shots, 13 of which were on target, showcasing their dominance.

The team is now expected to finish the group stage on a high note when they face hosts Dominican Republic on Wednesday at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo. A victory would see them top the group heading into the knockout stages.

Having finished third in the last edition of the tournament in India, the Flamingos have consistently been strong contenders, reaching the quarter-finals in 2010, 2012, and 2014. They made history in 2022 by breaking their quarter-final jinx, advancing to the semi-finals for the first time after defeating the USA.

Nigeria’s young stars will be aiming to build on this momentum as they continue their pursuit of the coveted title.