Julius Okorie
High flying Flamingos of Nigeria are dreaming of a repeat performance of 2022 edition as they face United States of America in the quarterfinals of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women World cup in Dominican Republic.
The Bankole Olowokere tutored side posted an impressive run in the group stage finishing as nine pointers in three matches.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Flamingos completed the group state with a lone goal win over hosts Dominican Republic who have since booked their exit from the tournament.
The nonsense team scored nine goals in total conceding just one in the group stage to set up a quarterfinal clash against USA.
The fixture against the American ladies is a nostalgic reminder of the same fixture at the 2022 edition in India where both teams met in the quarterfinal with the Flamingos carrying the day with a 4-3 defeat of the Americans on penalty. The tie had ended 1-1 at full and extra time forcing penalty shootouts.
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With the Flamingos relishing possibility of that feat and the Americans recalling the defeat with disappointment, Saturday’s quarterfinal certainly promises to be survival of the toughest.
Nigeria, USA, Spain, and Ecuador booked their places in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Other quarterfinalists are expected to emerge today as Zambia slug it out with Japan while Poland take on Brazil.
Tomorrow will see the emergence of the last two quarterfinalists with England tackling North Korea while Mexico and Kenya lock horns.
Flamingos who are 5-time winners of the African U-17 Cup of Nations for Women are seeking to clinch their first FIFA U-17 women World Cup title. Their best outing in seven appearances has been a third place finish at the 2022 edition in India.
Video clips from the match against Dominican Republic courtesy of NFFtv, revealed a very happy handful of Nigerian supporters singing ‘Ose Ose oo Ose Baba with relish as Shakirat Moshood netted an 89th minute goal to hand the Flamingos victory. While some of the home fans appear disappointed, others chose to join the Nigerians in swinging to the song in apparent display of the popular saying that if you can beat them, you join them.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
