2024 Dominican Republic: Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Liberia 4-1 in Monrovia

By Georgina Adegbie

Abuja, June 9, 2024

Nigeria’s Under 17 football female team, the  Flamingos, defeated their hosts Liberia  4-1 in the first leg of the final qualifying fixture for this year’s FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup match.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  the match was  played on Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Monrovia.

The Flamingos got off to a pretty quick start in the match.

The Liberian girls,  who  shocked Senegal on the away-goal rule to reach this final round, warded off the early threats from the Nigerian girls.

Nigeria got the ball into the net after 14 minutes, but the  Chadian referee Lare Lamngar ruled it offside.

Not deterred , the Flamingos went forward once again, and in the 19th minute, Shakirat Moshood opened the scoring from a solo run.

Peace Effiong scored in the 29th minute to put a wedge of respect between the two teams.

Harmony Chidi scored the third goal in the 36th minute to widen the gap between the two  teams.

On resumption of the second half, Nigeria continued to dominate, and substitute Blessing Ifitezue made it four in the with 74th minute.

Liberia scored a consolation goal in the 85th minute from the penalty spot through Yassah Gwaikolo, after substitute Onyedikachi Ekezie  committed a foul in the eighteen yard box.

NAN reports that the Flamingos will host Liberia in  the return leg  scheduled for Friday, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The tournament  will be hosted by the Dominican Republic from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3 and this is the first FIFA tournament hosted by the country.

A total of 16 teams from six confederations will participate in the World Cup.