U-17: Flamingos face elimination as England cage Nigeria

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos face early elimination from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the Prince Mohammed International Stadium in Al Zarqa in Jordan after playing out a goalless draw with England in Group C’s second match day.

Rasheedat Ajibade, who looked lively in attack for Nigeria, enjoyed the first opportunity on 16 minutes but goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck was on hand to deny her.

England’s Georgia Stanway then saw her chance on 24 minutes tipped away for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, the ball fell to Hannah Cain inside the area, but her effort was blocked and cleared by Abidemi Ibe.

England came close to opening the scoring on 32 minutes through Stanway’s powerful free-kick, while Nigeria defender Catherine Kenneth nearly caught Roebuck off guard with an audacious effort on 40 minutes, but the England shot-stopper held on to the tricky bouncing ball.

After the break, Cain capitalised on a defensive error before racing through on goal but saw her close-range effort go wide, while Nigeria’s Folashade Ijamilusi worked her way into the box before seeing her shot deflected out for a corner by Hollie Olding.

Nigeria continued to put the Young Lionesses under pressure throughout the second half, with Mercy Omokwo twice going close and Mary-Ann Ezenagu showing great composure to work her way into the box before seeing her effort at the near post cleared by Connie Scofield.

Ezenagu’s threatening delivery on 85 minutes was collected by Roebuck, while England’s Stanway had the chance to snatch a late winner, but saw her powerful 90th-minute effort sail over.

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