U17 WWC: Nigeria Tops Group, Sets Up Repeat Quarter-Final Clash With USA

Nigeria’s U17 girls concluded their group stage campaign with a win, thanks to Shakirat Moshood’s late long-range strike (her fourth of the tournament) on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, Santo Domingo.

Despite dominating possession, The Flamingos did not get an easy passage against the hosts as most expected, as they had to battle to secure victory. Captain and player of the match, Renata Mercedes and goalkeeper Rondon played pivotal roles in keeping the Dominican Republic at bay until Shakirat’s 89th-minute winner.

Bankole Olowookere’s team has, so far, put up a stellar performance at the U17 Women’s World Cup, winning all three group games (nine points), scoring nine goals, keeping two clean sheets, and conceding just one.

What’s Next?

As Group A winners, Nigeria faces Group B runners-up, the USA, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8:30 pm WAT at Cibao Stadium. This quarter-final matchup repeats last edition’s clash, where Nigeria triumphed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Nigeria’s 2022 Nigeria’s edging of the USA in the 2022 quarter-final, dented USA’s first knockout-stage appearance since their runner-up finish at the inaugural event in 2008. The U.S. now has reached the quarterfinals in consecutive U-17 World Cups for the first time.

The Flamingos have participated in every edition since the competition’s 2008 inception (missing only the 2018 edition) reaching the quarter-final in 2010, 2012, and 2014. In 2022, They broke the quarter-final “jinx” by defeating the USA in the quarterfinals as earlier stated to reach the semis and eventually get a third-place finish.