FIFA U-17 WWC: Can Nigeria stun USA to break Quater Final Jinx ?

Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s team the Flamingos defeated Chile 2-1 to reach the Quater Final of the ongoing India 2022 World Cup.

For Nigeria, the Quater Final stage is the farthest they have gone at the tournament since it’s inception in 2008.

In this article, SportsRation previews Nigeria’s chances vs the USA in the Quater-final.

THE RECORDS

Nigeria has played at 6 editions of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016).

Of this six, Nigeria has now reached the Quater-final of the tournament on four occasions (2010, 2012, 2022, 2022).

The previous three Quater-final’s have ended in pains for Nigeria, a jinx they will try to break against the USA .

JOURNEY TO THE QUATER FINAL

A ruthless USA ladies team dispatched hosts India 8-0 in their opening group game of the 2022 tournament.

A 1-1 draw vs Brazil was followed by a 5-0 bashing of India on Monday afternoon to top group A with 7 points and a whooping +12 goal difference.

For Nigeria, the tournament began on a losing note. Invincible Germany secured a comeback 2-1 win over the Flamingos at the Nehru Stadium on the opening day.

To avoid a repeat of the group stage exit from the last appearance in 2016, Nigeria banged four past New Zealand before defeating Chile 2-1 to finish as Group B’s second placed team.

BANGING USA AND THE QUATER FINAL JINX 

Nigeria has never gone past the Quater-final stage of this competition. The Flamingos bid the tournament farewell at this stage in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Against a goal banging USA team with 14 goals in the group stage, The Flamingos must up their game if the jinx must be broken in India.

USA top the head to head stats and will carry the favorite tag onto the turf on  Friday October 21, 2022.

To stun USA, Coach Bankole Olowookere and his charges must improve on their finishing.

Against New Zealand and Chile, the Nigerian ladies created a host of chances but were not proficient with the finish.

That must change on Friday, USA will push forward to press and exert their own system of play so they (Flamingos) must hit the back of the net at every opportunity because the opposition to their next level are proven goal bangers .

WHAT NIGERIANS WANT 

Victory !.

With Nigeria missing the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, this tournament is where the Nigerian people have their absolute attention for sporting success if possible.

A win for Nigeria will bring joy to the entire country and even more happiness for the newly inaugurated Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau led NFF Executive Committee .

TEASER

Do you think Nigeria can top USA to break the Quater Final Jinx and reach the semi-final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time ?