Forward Harmony Chidi was the stand-out performer for Nigeria as the women’s U-17 national team defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso 6-0 on Saturday, to advance to the fourth and final qualifying round for the 2024 FIFA U-17 World Cup which will be played in the Dominican Republic.
Chidi netted a hat-trick while Peace Effiong got a brace plus another goal from Ramota Kareem secured an emphatic 7-1 aggregate victory over their West African neighbours inside the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Following last week’s 1-1- draw in Bamako, Mali, coach Bankole Olowookere’s team wasted no time to stick their nose in front at home courtesy of Chidi and Effiong who gave Nigeria a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Nigeria extended the superiority after the break with Chidi heading home her second of the match and the Flamingos’ third and Kareem’s brilliant effort compounded the woes for the visitors to take Nigeria 4-0 up.
Chidi completed her hat-trick four minutes from time before Peace Effiong bagged her second of the encounter as the rampant Flamingos made light work of Burkina Faso.
Nigeria have now advanced to the final qualifying round of the 2024 Women’s World Cup, where Flamingos will face either Senegal or Liberia.
Olaitan Ibrahim