Nigeria’s Flamingoes secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Mexico to seal top spot of Group D on Sunday in San Jose.
Having already clinched a quarter-finals berth in the ongoing Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup from their penultimate group matches, the coach Bala Nikyu-led ladies needed victory to keep their 100% record intact and make a bold statement of their title credentials and that they did.
Nigeria went into the break with a two goal lead thanks to a Rasheedat Ajibade easy tap-in and Uchenna Kanu’s close-range header.
Aminat Yakubu added third for the Flamingoes, who now sets up Spain in a last-eight tie.
Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria celebrates her goal during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Group D match between Nigeria and Mexico. (Photo by Jamie McDonald – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Mexico goalkeeper Emily Alvarado was involved in a defensive blunder which gifted the West Africans the lead on 12 minutes. The goalie could only parry a low cross into the path of Ajibade, who easily buried home the lose ball.
Nigeria doubled their lead four minutes later when Kanu scored a close range header from a Yakubu cross.
Kanu then missed a clear-cut chance at the back post by a glimmer, but turned provider when Yakubu kept her composure to head past Alvarado to seal the contest few minutes to the hour mark.