Flamingoes crash out of FIFA U17 World Cup

Nigeria’s U17 female national team yesterday crashed out of the ongoing 2016 FIFA World Cup in Jordan after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Republic of Korea.

Bala Nkiyu’s girls started brightly with Rasheedat Ajibade, a menace throughout the opening 45 minutes with her blistering pace, forcing Ok Kum Ju to make a number of early stops.

Ri Hae Yon scored a hattrick as Korea DPR immersed their superiorty throughout the encounter which meant a lot to both teams considering the other game between England and Brazil was ongoing.

Hot-shot Ri bagged a firsthalf double before notching her third on 83 minutes, bringing her tally to four goals in two games, as Korea DPR capped off a commanding victory at the Amman International Stadium.

Despite early pressure from the Flamingoes, it was Korea DPR who took the lead on the half-hour mark. Ko Kyong Hui made a tackle on the halfway line and sent a long pass over the Nigeria defence, where Ri got onto the end of the bouncing ball and fired past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Korea DPR then doubled their advantage shortly before the break through Ri’s second of the day, who capped off a wellworked team move by slotting home from close range.

Ri then completed her hat-trick on 83 minutes after receiving Kim Jong Sim’s freekick in the area and slotting a side-footed effort past Nnadozie.

Flamingoes have always qualified for the Mundial since its inception but have never reached the last four. The Nigerians though a force in African football, struggle to assert themselves on the world stage all the time.

Historically, they finished third in their group and failed to progress at the first edition in New Zealand (2008), built on that experience to top their group and reach the quarterfinals at Trinidad and Tobago 2010, Azerbaijan 2012 and Costa Rica 2014.

Of their three eliminations at this stage, two came after extra time and on one of these occasions it took a penalty shootout to end their hopes.

This will represent the poorest outing by the side and it remains to be seen what decision the Nigeria Football Federation will take regarding the future of the team’s handlers who have failed to inspire the girls to glory.