Izuchukwu OkosiThe Nigerian U-17 women’s national team the Flamingos on Monday afternoon finished their Group B campaign in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win against Chile to advance to the quarterfinals stage.
Prime Business Africa’s IZUCHUKWU OKOSI watched the game and presents the players’ ratings.
Goalkeeper: Faith Omilana
The goalkeeper had a somewhat easy game as the Chileans rarely troubled her all 90 minutes. In fact the South Americans had only two shots on goal with one of them being the penalty as the game petered away. 6/10.
DEFENDERS
Timuninu Adeshina
Efficient and one of the players with setpiece duties, Adeshina was subbed off in the second half. 6/10.
Miracle Usani
The no-nonsense right back was up to any challenge on her way albeit she didn’t add to her two goals so far in the tournament. She was also adept playing in the left back position. 7/10.
Comfort Folorunsho
The tall centre-back who plays on the left side of the central defence made vital clearances and was tasked with playing at left back when Adeshina was substituted. 7/10.
Shakira Oyinlola
Oyinlola made tackles, cleared the ball at will and made interceptions. She won two aerial duels. 8/10.
MIDFIELDERS
Omamuzo Edafe
Deployed on the right side of the midfield four, the right back was a pillar at the back and a trusted ally going forward. Vooked for handball before Chile’s penalty goal. 6.5/10
Blessing Emmanuel
The stand-in skipper scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 4th minute. She was booked on the game. Not her best World Cup game but still a good game. 7.5/10.
Taiwo Afolabi
The diminutive central midfielder made some piercing passes that created goal scoring chances but did not get on the scoresheet herself. 6.5/10
Bisola Mosaku
Mosaku scored the late goal that all but confirmed the Flamingos’ quarterfinals ticket. Resourceful as ever but guilty of wasting some glut-edge chances. 7/10
ATTACKERS
Amina Bello
Twinkle-toes Bello deserved to get on the scoresheet but her 78th minute strike was pushed out for a cornerkick.
Skilful, Bello was booked in the first half and will need to keep her discipline as the team hopes to reach the semifinals. 8/10.
Opeyemi Ajakaye
Player of the match against Chile, the second of the tournament for her. Ajakaye assisted Emmanuel’s early goal on Monday.
She is yet to score in the World Cup proper but the top scorer in the Africa qualifying series continues trouble defence in India. Had a powerful shot from distance come off the bar. 8.5/10.
SUB
Edidiong Etim
Etim was a second half substitute and was as usual, full of energy.
She however should have scored in the match but rather than going for glory, chose to selflessly find a teammate when the former could have been a better decision. 6/10.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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