By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s U17 girls, also known as the Flamingos, fired on all cylinders to record a 9-0 win over their counterparts from Niger Republic on Thursday, in the second match of this year’s WAFU U17 Girls’ Cup, taking place in Ghana.
The Flamingos started brilliantly, with Aishat Animashaun scoring after only five minutes, following an in-swinger by Mary Mamudu.
FIFA World Cup star Shakirat Moshood then started her own show, as she produced a screamer from 35 yards that saw the ball sail above Nigerien goalkeeper Ndiaye Fatai Basiru for the second goal in the 17th minute.
Six minutes later, the ever-relentless Moshood scored her second and Nigeria’s third, assisted by Animashaun. In the 33rd minute, Janet Akekoromowei made it four by netting from close range.
Akekoromowei escaped the attention of Nigerien defenders in the 42nd minute to power home Nigeria’s fifth and secured her hat-trick almost immediately after with a powerful header.
Moshood, not to be outdone before the break, completed her own hat-trick in the 45th minute to make it 7-0 against the hapless neighbours to the north at half-time.
Moshood was on fire again just before the hour mark, collecting the ball high up the pitch and making a solo drive to fire past Ndiaye for her fourth and Nigeria’s eighth.
With 11 minutes left on the clock, Peace Effiong added her name to the scoresheet, firing from outside the box to beat Ndiaye for Nigeria’s ninth goal.
The Flamingos will next take on their counterparts from Côte d’Ivoire on Monday.
