By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s interest in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup ended on Saturday night, after the United States of America scored one goal in each half to send the 2022 bronze medallists packing from the tournament holding in the Dominican Republic.
Nigerian Coach Bankole Olowookere’s game plan was cruelly undermined by injuries to three of his first 11 within the first 45 minutes.
Forward Blessing Ifitezue was the first to be forcibly withdrawn, to be replaced by Peace Effiong.
Then, left back Onyedikachi Ekezie, to be replaced by Rokibat Azeez.
Defender Jumai Adebayo also went down, but was able to continue after some minutes.
Harmony Chidi, leading scorer in the African qualifying campaign, lifted the ball too high from a free-kick in the 9th minute, and again put too much purchase on her effort in the 28th minute.
A minute later, Mary Long stretched goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma with an excellent shot in the box, which the latter did well to parry out for a corner.
USA, who lost a quarter-final game to Nigeria in India two years ago on penalty shoot-out, went in front from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute through Fuller, after Shakirat Moshood had fouled an opponent in the box. It would have been 2-0 in added time, but Adebayo did well to keep out the ball right on the line as the Americans piled more pressure.
In the 64th minute, Captain Taiwo Afolabi snatched the ball from dithering defenders, only to see her shot parried out for a corner. Fuller could have doubled USA’s advantage in the 71st minute, but saw her effort miss the target narrowly.
Three minutes later, USA went 2-0 up, when Afolabi was hacked in the midfield and the through ball was converted by Kim Ascanio who put the ball through the legs of the advancing Uzoma.
