Nigeria’s female under 17 team, Flamingoes defeated DR Congo with a stunning 3-0 in the FIFA under 17 World Cup Qualifier in Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasha.
Blessing Emmanuel scored the first goal in the 36th minute of the game, after a beautiful cross from Usani.
36′ GOOOOAL in Kinshasa|Flamingoes FINALLY find a breakthrough as Blessing Emmanuel scores off a fine cross from Usani
DR Congo 🇨🇩 0-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬#SoarFlamingoes #Team9jaStrong#DRCNGA #U17WWCQ @thenff
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) March 6, 2022
Oluwatunmininu Adeshina scored another brilliant goal in the 66th minute of the game, increasing the Flamingoes tally at Stade des Martyrs.
66′ GOOOOAL in Kinshasa|Flamingoes increase the tally at Stade des Martyrs with a fine finish from Oluwatunmininu Adeshina
DR Congo 🇨🇩 0-2 Nigeria 🇳🇬#SoarFlamingoes #Team9jaStrong#DRCNGA #U17WWCQ @thenff
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) March 6, 2022
Opeyemi Ajakaye put in the third goal in the 76th minute of the game.
76′ GOOOOAL in Kinshasa|Flamingoes leveraging on numerical advantage to pull away as Taiwo Ajakaye rounds goalkeeper Lulema to make it three at Stade des Martyrs
DR Congo 🇨🇩 0-3 Nigeria 🇳🇬#SoarFlamingoes #Team9jaStrong#DRCNGA #U17WWCQ @thenff
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) March 6, 2022
With the 3 goals, Flamingoes have the crucial advantage and will head for the second leg in two weeks in Benin.
In the 5th minute of the game, Taiwo Afolabi and Taiwo Ajakaye missed chances in the Flamingoes’ search for an early goal.
Alvine Dah Zossu made another goal attempt in the 10th minute of the match but was unfruitful.
The Flamingoes kept intensifying pressure with Ajakaye reaching for another goal in the 12th minute that was saved by Congolese keeper Luleme.
READ ALSO: FIFA WCQ: Flamingoes Target Maximum Points Against DR Congo
Similarly, Adesina almost put the Flamingoes in front of the free-kick spot in the 25th minute but her effort was blocked by the Congolese defence.
In the 32nd minute, the Flamingoes were threatened when Lubiku found a way into the Flamingoes’ defence and forced goalkeeper Omilana to a big save.
In the 40th minute, Congo did a substitution and took out Makila and brought in Natty.
The Congolese threatened Flamingoes again in the 50th minute through Masanga’s free-kick but goalkeeper Omilana was at her best to deny her a chance.
Our Flamingoes pre-match warm-up at Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa #SoarFlamingoes #U17WWCQ#DRCNGA #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/JyTwGdYL44
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) March 6, 2022
In the 55th minute, Congo took another corner kick but goalkeeper Omilana showed up with a quick save to preserve Flamingoes lead.
The Nigerian team had an injury scare in the 60th minute. Aminat Bello suffered an injury and received medical attention. Hurt Oluwatunmininu Adeshina returned to the pitch after treatment.
Nigeria made substitutions in the 65th minute, Aminat Bello was replaced by Rahemot Adebayo and Kafayat Bashir was replaced by Anastasia Atume.
READ MORE: FIFA Qualifiers: Flamingoes arrive in Kinshasha ahead of Congo clash
Nwanji’s harsh tackle on Alvine Dah Zossu sent her off the pitch reducing the Congo side to 10 players.
Nigeria makes another substitution in the 77th minute, replacing Oluwatunmininu Adeshina with Mamuzo Edafe.
Kamba threatened the Flamingoes from the free-kick spot for DR Congo in the 87th minute but goalkeeper Omilana was fully alert of the danger to avoid a dent on her clean sheet hopes at Stade des Martyrs.
In the 89th minute, Atume came close to giving a fourth for the Flamingoes but ended up firing wide.
In the 90th minute, three minutes of added time was issued at Stade des Martyrs.
