Nigeria’s Under-17 squad the Flamengoes, ran riot yesterday and whipped the hosts of the FIFA Under-17 women world cup Azerbaijan, with 11 thumping goals.
Chinwendu Ihezuo was the tormentor in chief as she scored five of the goals which left the young Azerbaijan women reeling with dis may and disbelief as they crashed out of the tournament having lost to Colombia in their opening game.
LANKARAN, AZERBAIJAN – SEPTEMBER 25: Tessy Biahwo (R) of Nigeria is congratulated by team-mate Ugochi Emenayo after scoring her side’s eleventh goal during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Group A match between Azerbaijan and Nigeria at Lankaran Stadium on September 25, 2012 in Lankaran, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Chris Brunskill-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
It was clear that the hosts were no match for the Nigerian girls who had physical advantage and right from the opening moments of the game, the Nigerian girls pinned their opponents to their own half and handed them a thorough bashing, which seem like a revenge for Africa after Gambia suffered a similar 11-0 whitewash in the hands of North Korea.
Ihezuo opened scoring in the 5th minute after she tapped in Madel Effiom’s cross that bounced off the cross bar. Three minutes later it was 2-0, Oluchi Ofoebu squaring from inside the box to see Halimatu Ayinde squeeze her first under Aytaj Sharifova.
Ayinde then made one and scored her second, lay the first on for Aminat Yakubu before Ihezuo turned provide.
Ihezuo then doubled own tally, Yakubu crossing for her to put in at the far post. Ayinde missed the chance to complete her hat-trick when missing an untended goal, but her pass on 37 minutes saw Ihezuo complete hers.
The tune didn’t change after half-time, Ihezuo netting her fourth after Ebere Okoye’s neat through-ball. Substitute Joy Bokiri then got in on the act, converting Ayinde’s cross.
Ihezuo got her fifth, rising to head Biahwo’s deep free-kick, before roles reversed as the midfielder curled an effort into the bottom corner for the final goal.
Nigeria now top group A with 4 points, tipping Canada to the second spot with the overwhelming goals advantage. Canada beat Colombia 1-0 and they will face the hosts, while Nigeria need a win or draw against Colombia on Saturday to be assured of a quarter-final ticket.
