Nigeria’s Flamingos kicked off their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup campaign with a resounding 4-1 win over New Zealand. It was a brilliant team performance, with standout displays from Taiwo Adegoke and Faridat Abdulwahab, while center-back Jumai Adebayo put on a commanding defensive performance reminiscent of Virgil van Dijk.

Here’s how each player fared:

Goalkeeper

Christiana Uzoma: Had a quiet evening with little to do. She couldn’t prevent New Zealand’s goal but otherwise stayed solid. 7/10


Defenders

Onyedikachi Ekezie: The energetic left-back supported both offensively and defensively, surging forward while maintaining her position. 7.5/10

Hannah Ibrahim: Alongside Adebayo, she helped the highline work effectively, though she could have closed down New Zealand’s goal-scorer. 7.5/10

Jumai Adebayo: Showed composure and strength at the back, delivering a performance that would make Virgil van Dijk proud. 8/10

Taiwo Adegoke: Stole the show with a goal and a fantastic assist while also staying reliable in defence. 9/10


Midfielders and Forwards

Faridat Abdulwahab: After several attempts, she finally scored with a brilliant strike from distance, showing her quality. 8.5/10

Shakira Moshood: Her pace and hard work paid off with a well-taken goal and strong performance in midfield. 8/10

Taiwo Afolabi: Grew into the game after a slow start, scoring a well-taken goal and contributing to attack. 8/10

Harmony Chidi: Despite her pace and movement troubling the defence, the top scorer in qualifying missed a few chances to score. 6/10

Peace Effiong: Playing as a central forward, she often drifted wide, making her hard to track and creating space for others. 7.5/10

Aishat Animashaun: Impressive in the first half with her quick feet and defensive support, though she faded in the second half. 7/10


Substitutes

Ramatalahi Kareem: Made an immediate impact with a near-assist off the bench. 6.5/10

Blessing Ifitezue: Contributed to maintaining momentum but was flagged offside after a near-goal. 6/10

Muinat Rotimi: Came on too late to make a significant impact. N/A


With a strong all-round performance, the Flamingos are now set to face Ecuador in their next group stage match, where a victory will secure their place in the knockout stages.