Statistics favour Flamingos as Nigeria tackles Chile for quarter final ticket

Flamingos celebrating a goal scored against New Zealand…on Friday<br />

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos will take on Chile in tomorrow’s make or mar match at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup held in India.

The Africa’s representative had lost 1- 2 to European champion, Germany in its opening Group B match before they demolished New Zealand 4-0 in the second group game on Friday.

Nigeria scored the opening goal in the 16th minute through Omowunmi Bello from a powerful header after a cross from Tunmininu Adeshina.

Miracle Usani made it two when her strike was deflected into the net by Manaia Elliot in the 34th minute to extend the lead at the end of the first half. The Flamingos eventually made it 4-0 at the end of the one-sided encounter.

Flamingos are currently second in the group with three points from two games, while Germany is leading the pack with six points. Chile are third, with the same points as Nigeria while New Zealand are last without a point.

In tomorrow’s game, Opeyemi Ajakaye who was voted the match of the match in the game against New Zealand will have to replicate her form in order to beat a hard-fighting Chilean team.

If statistics are anything to go by, Nigeria’s 4-0 victory against New Zealand as against Chile’s 3-1 result against the same opponent, means that the Flamingos have a chance to progress.

A victory tomorrow afternoon at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will qualify the country for the next round of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Coach Bankole Olowookere has maintained that his wards would qualify for the next round of the Women’s World Cup in India.

“Yes, we will qualify, we planned to win the German game, but in football, you win, draw and you lose,” he said.

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