Flamingos’ Hero Adegbuyi Targets More Glory After First World Cup Goal
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi has vowed to make her family and Nigeria proud after scoring her first goal at a major international tournament in the Flamingos’ 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 on Tuesday.
The forward, named Player of the Match, opened the scoring in the 25th minute at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat before substitute Precious Oscar sealed the victory with a goal in the third minute of added time.
Adegbuyi admitted the Group B encounter was difficult but expressed delight at helping Nigeria secure their first victory of the tournament, describing her goal as the beginning of what she hopes will be a memorable career on the international stage.
‘The game was not easy for us, but we tried our best and we were able to get the three points today. I’m happy and very excited because this is my first goal in these tournaments, on the biggest stage,’ she said.
‘I’m very happy to score here, on the biggest stage of my life, because this is just the beginning. I promise to make my family and the whole nation proud.’
The Flamingos made an aggressive start, with Queen Joseph testing Puerto Rico goalkeeper Victoria Moore-Torres in the second minute before captain Chidi Harmony struck the crossbar with a powerful effort.
Nigeria eventually broke the deadlock when a loose clearance fell to Joseph, who set up Adegbuyi. Although the forward’s initial attempt was blocked by two defenders, she reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home.
Adegbuyi remained a threat after the break, sending another effort narrowly over the bar from a corner, while goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho kept Nigeria ahead with a fine save to deny Isabella Sanabria-Cora, who came close to giving Puerto Rico their first goal of the tournament.
Oscar settled the contest in stoppage time, heading home a cross from Kemi Adegbuyi to secure the three points.
The victory revives Nigeria’s hopes of progressing from Group B after their opening defeat, but the Flamingos face a stern test against North Korea on Friday.
