By Onyekachi Chimezie
It has now been Confirmed, Nigeria U-17 women’s team will lock horns with 2008 FIFA U-17 women’s world cup runners up USA in the quarter-finals.
The team led by Coach Olowookere Bankole defeated Chile 2-1 on Monday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to finish second in group B and advance to the knockout stages.
The Stars and Stripes of the USA advanced to the knockout stages after winning group A with a 4-0 victory over fellow African representatives Morocco in the last group game.
Flamingos finished second in group B after gathering six points from their three group games with the West African side opening their tournament with a 2-1 defeat against European giants Germany.
However, Flamingos bounced back after beating New Zealand 4-0 before sealing qualification by winning Chile 2-1 to finish the group in second place.
Coach Natalia Astrain’s USA team, who are the leading scorers in India, started their World Cup journey by brushing past tournament’s host India 8-0, drew Brazil 1-1 in the second group stage game and won 4-0 against North African side Morocco to top group A.
The Flamingos will attempt to advance to the semifinals for the first time in their history in what is thought to be the first-ever meeting between the two countries at the U-17 Women’s level on Friday, October 21 at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, India.
