Nigeria reached the final round of the African qualification series for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals after a 6-0 defeat of Burkina Faso at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Saturday evening.
Goal-poacher Harmony Chidi, who netted six of Nigeria’s dozen goals in the 12-0 annihilation of the Central African Republic in the first round, also scored for the team in the 1-1 draw away in Bamako last Saturday.
She came up big again with a hat-trick in front of delighted spectators in Nigeria’s federal capital.
After 11 minutes, she put the Nigeria U-17 girls in front, capitalising on a defensive blunder by Faridatou Ouedraogo and Obaidatou Nkiema to dribble past goalkeeper Agueratou Baguian.
Four minutes later, Shakirat Moshood’s upright shot and Peace Effiong’s dashing run ended with a tame shot in the 27th minute.
In the 34th minute, Effiong made amends, riding a couple of rough tackles to flash past the overworked Baguian as spectators egged the Flamingos on.
She should have made it 3-0 with four minutes left in the first period, but got too much purchase on the ball from four yards.
In the second half, visiting goalkeeper Baguian drew applause with an excellent double save from Harmony Chidi in the 55th minute, but the World Cup bronze medalists reserved their greater potency for the last quarter-hour.
In the 74th minute, Taiwo Afolabi’s soaring volley from 20 yards rocked the crossbar, but Chidi was on hand to coolly nod it into the net.
Substitute Ramota Kareem made it four in the 84th minute.
Two minutes later, Chidi got her hat-trick with a dipping shot, and with one minute left on the clock, Effiong got her brace after a wonderful team move.
The victory earned Nigeria a 7-1 aggregate win and a place in the final round against the winner of the Senegal/Liberia fixture.
The first leg is scheduled for Saturday, June 8.
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