2026 FIFA U-17WWC: How Nigeria outsmarted Mexico To Reach Q/finals, By Flamingos Coach

From Harry Awurumibe, Live in Morocco

Head Coach of the U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, Busari Hakeem Ishola has revealed that his game plans to go on offensive worked perfectly well for him in Nigeria’s hard fought 2-1 win over Mexico in the Round of 16 clash of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup played at Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday.

Two goals in each half scored by forward Oluebube Umejiaku in the 40th minute and another by midfielder Mary Dunstan in the 71st minute gave Nigeria a comfortable 2-0 lead before Mexico reduced the deficit in the 90 +8 minute when Emily Delgado fired into the top right corner into Nigeria’s net.

However, Nigeria could have got a penalty late on when a Nigeria attacker was maliciously tackled in the box 18 of Mexico but center referee  Miriama BOCKOVA did not award the spot kick even when she was sent to the monitor to check for a possible penalty.

With the win, Nigeria have qualified for the quarter-finals of the the tournament where they will meet Venezuela on Sunday in a must-win-coing.

But speaking exclusively to Prompt News in Rabat immediately after the match, Busari disclosed that he instructed his players to go toe to toe with the Mexicans and not give them a room to play their game.

An elated Flamingos coach said he is delighted that his players executed the game plans very well, pointing out that the players played their individual roles assigned to them.

Busari showered praises on his players and admonished them to be modest in celebrating the win over Mexico and remain focused as the job is not done yet with the quarter-finals match against Venezuela on Sunday.