U-17 WWC: Chidi Elated To Score In Flamingos’ Big Win Over Ecuador

Flamingos vs Ecuador: 4-0 Retrospective Review

The Flamingos’ barnstorming start to this U-17 Women World Cup continues with a merciless 4:0 bashing of Ecuador yesterday. But sterner test from far more formidable opponents await them in the quarter-final (currently likely to be USA).

Moshood’s well taken penalty kick low to the right sent the goalkeeper on a fishing expedition for Nigeria’s first goal in 2 minutes. Chidi (always a cuckoo in opposition nest) drifted into valuable Real Estate inside opposition 18 yard box to bury a neat drive for 2:0 in 54 minutes. The comeuppance of a wretched back pass left the opposition goalkeeper clutching at straws before kicking the air for Peace to pounce and produce a neat finish for 3:0 in 66 minutes. Profiting from a perfect cut-back from Chidi (who is now coming alive in the tournament), Moshood, biting on the ampoules of ruthlessness, made no mistake to rifle home and make it 4:0 in 96 minutes. Ecuador had no answers.

Unlike the other match, Coach Bankole started with 4-4-2 (not 4-2-4) and stuck with this arrangement for most of the match. Having the 2 wingers withdrawn behind the centre forwards and closer to midfield meant Nigeria dominated midfield. It also meant through and driven passes (a staple of Bankole’s approach) from the wingers were able to locate Chidi and Peace upfront, allowing them to shine and live up to potentials.

It was pleasing to the eye. They were articulate, co-ordinated, refined and harmonious in their play.

The misplaced passes were still there, but not as problematic or regular in this match. Still, Bankole will need to address this problem and continue to reduce its occurrence.

Communication between the fullbacks Eke and Adegoke and wingers Moshood and Animashaun (who had the bit between her teeth all night) on both sides were up-to-scratch, inventive and purposeful. On this occasion, left fullback Eke enriched the credentials of the interactions with graceful glides and fluid movements laced with neat deliveries that had a hint of flair about it. Watching her retrieve the ball and ghost pass the opposition striker was a thing of beauty.

The movement dynamics between Afolabi and Abdulwahab continue to churn out meaningful and insightful passes, pressings and markings that support the strikers, complement the wingers and shield the back four.

Peace and Harmony upfront (who severally tore into opposition defence like a piñata) bounced off each other beautifully with well synchronized movements and an understanding of when to pass or when to the pot at goal. Seeing these 2 strikers play off each other with elegance, grace, poise and precision in front of goal is meant to be the golden ticket of the team which both players punched with poise in this game, even going so far as complementing their wingers, midfielders and defenders with painstaking applications.

Not to leave out centre-backs Adebayo and Ibrahim whose no-nonsense tackles and interceptions effectively put-the-kibosh on the ambitions of Ecuador. Adebayo, cutting-a-wide-swath, particularly displayed impeccable timing to shoot out of her area with focus that is unmatched. Goalkeeper Uzoma stayed alert all through, punching powerful to deflect a sure-banker goal-bound effort on one occasion.

There are some areas of concern as some of the long range shots seem needless and communication broke down of a few occasions. Pressure seems to be too much on my Chidi as she seemed more relieved that happy scoring her first goal. The team appears to over-rely on intricate movements to produce low through passes or direct driven passes to open up the opposition in conjunction with their long shots. It will be good to see more traditional crosses from the by-line or from different places to mix things up a bit. I am just worried that, if a team comes along to cut off their channels of passes, what next?

I don’t want to get too carried away with this high scoreline wins. With all due respect, Ecuador and New Zealand aren’t high concept technical outfits. Teams are taking note of the Flamingos and will seek to clip their wings.

For now, well done to team, more flutter to their feathers!

Am proud of you ladies