We put in a strong performance against Chile — Blessing Emmanuel

Blessing Emmanuel says every player in the Flamingos deserves credit for the team’s qualification for the quarter-final of the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The Bankole Olowookere’s girls defeated Chile in the last Group game to join Germany in the next round.

Both sides arrived at the match venue, Kalinga Stadium needing the three points at stake to be guaranteed a place in the last eight, and it was the African who showed more commitment and zeal at the end of the hostility.

It was Nigeria who struck first, with a Miracle Usani long throw-in, with the ball eventually falling to captain Blessing Emmanuel, who fired home from the edge of the box.

Nigeria doubled their advantage from another set-piece after the restart, with Amina Bello nodding a free-kick from the right into the path of Bisola Mosaku, who thumped the ball into the roof of the net.

Tali Rovner pulled then one back for Chile, who had the home fans on their side, though it was not enough to inspire them to a place in the knockout phase for the first time in their history.

“We put in a strong performance. Chile wanted to go through to the quarter-finals as much as we did and every player gave their all. They put up a great challenge but we gave them a lot to think about too.”, Blessing Emmanuel, Nigeria midfielder said after the game.

This is the fourth time the Nigerians have reached the last eight, after 2010, 2012, and 2014. They have yet to progress any further in the competition.