Flamingos Beat Puerto Rico to Keep FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Hopes Alive
Nigeria’s Flamingos boosted their hopes of progressing at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 after defeating Puerto Rico 2-0 in their Group B encounter at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 4, in Rabat on Tuesday.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opened the scoring in the 25th minute before substitute Precious Oscar struck in the third minute of added time to secure all three points for the 2022 bronze medallists.
Adegbuyi, who also earned the Player of the Match award, was instrumental in Nigeria’s victory, providing a constant attacking threat throughout the contest.
The Flamingos started brightly, with Queen Joseph forcing Puerto Rico goalkeeper Victoria Moore-Torres into an early save just two minutes into the match.
Captain Chidi Harmony came close moments later, unleashing a powerful effort that beat Moore-Torres but crashed against the crossbar.
Nigeria eventually made their pressure count in the 25th minute after a poor Puerto Rico clearance fell to Joseph. The forward picked out Adegbuyi, whose initial effort was blocked by two defenders before she reacted quickest to the loose ball and fired home.
The Nigerians continued to threaten after the break, with Adegbuyi sending another effort narrowly over the bar from a corner as they sought to extend their lead.
Puerto Rico, however, came close to finding their first goal of the tournament when Isabella Sanabria-Cora tested Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho with an effort from the edge of the penalty area. Ijirigho reacted well to tip the ball over the bar and preserve Nigeria’s advantage.
The Flamingos sealed the victory deep into stoppage time when Oscar headed home a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi in the 90+3rd minute, putting the result beyond doubt.
Nigeria saw out the remaining minutes to claim their first victory in Morocco and revive their hopes of advancing from Group B.
The result sets up a crucial encounter against North Korea on Friday. The Koreans strengthened their position in the group with a commanding 6-1 victory over Poland in the other match on Tuesday.
With qualification still to be decided, Nigeria will need another strong performance against North Korea to keep their campaign alive.
