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Dominican Republic 2024: USA ends Flamingos' World Cup dream

Posted : 28 October 2024

Nigeria's interest in this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup has ended after the United States scored one goal in each half, sending the 2022 bronze medallists packing from the tournament in the Dominican Republic.


Coach Bankole Olowookere’s game plan was cruelly undermined by injuries to three of his starting eleven within the first 45 minutes.


Forward Blessing Ifitezue was the first to be forcibly withdrawn and was replaced by Peace Effiong.


Next, left-back Onyedikachi Ekezie was substituted for Rokibat Azeez. Defender Jumai Adebayo also went down but was able to continue after a few minutes.


Harmony Chidi, the 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 power 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.


The USA, who lost a quarter-final game to Nigeria in India two years ago in a penalty shootout, took the lead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute through Fuller after Shakirat Moshood fouled an opponent in the box.


It could have been 2-0 in added time, but Adebayo did well to keep the ball out right on the line as the Americans piled on 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 the USA’s advantage in the 71st minute, but her effort narrowly missed the target.


Three minutes later, the USA went 2-0 up when Afolabi was hacked down in midfield, and the through ball was converted by Kim Ascanio, who put the ball through the legs of the advancing Uzoma.

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