Nigeria will face either the United States of America in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Under Seventeen women’s world cup in India.
The Flamingoes as the Nigerian team are also known qualified for the knockout phase of the competition after a deserved 2-1 win over Chile in one of the last group B games today.
Nigeria who sailed through as Group B runners up with six points needed only a draw to qualify and won by delivering another impressive performance after the 4-0 win against New Zealand on Friday.
Captain Blessing Emmanuel gave the Flamingos the lead in the 8th minute by curling a beautiful shot into the bottom right corner after a superb assist from Opeyemi Ajakaye.
Coach Bankole Olowookere’s side continued their dominant play and had a couple of chances to double the lead with efforts from Miracle Usani, Opeyemi Ajakaye and Amina Bello all saved by the impressive Chilean goalkeeper.
The second goal finally came in the 82nd minute when Bisola Mosaku fired a shot home from Amina Bello’s header.
Chile pulled one back from the penalty spot a minute before full time.
Flamingos conceded the penalty when a long VAR review adjudged Omamuzo Edafe to have handled the ball in the box.
Forward Opeyemi Ajakaye was named the man of the match for the second consecutive match after a superb performance from start to finish.
She provided an assist and came close to scoring on different occasions.
Ajakaye’s is expected to fire up Nigeria’s attack in the quarter final against group A toppers USA on 21 October in Navi Mumbai.
