The Flamingoes recovered from an early minute goal conceded to defeat South Americans Colombia 2 -1 and book their place in the last eight of the ongoing Fifa Under 17 World Cup.

Angie Rodriguez scored the game’s opening goal in the 3rd minute through a header before Joy Bokiri’s textbook free-kick restored parity for Nigeria.

Just before the hour mark, Uchenna Kanu capitalized on a lapse in the Colombian defense to net Nigeria’s second.

Colombia would have conceded a third goal but Ihuoma Onyebuchi saw her effort come off the woodwork.

In his post match comments, manager Nikyu Bala said : “It was a great match. Normally, in tournaments like this, everyone’s aim is simply to survive. And that’s what that game was like, a battle for survival.

“We’re hoping to keep going; the competition doesn’t end in the next round. We would like to reach the final, and why not lift the trophy?

“I don’t think we gave them enough respect at the start – we were still thinking about our win over China, and we paid for it by letting in an early goal. Fortunately we woke up in time and managed to get the victory.”

With this victory, the Flamingoes are level on 6 points with Mexico but have an inferior goal difference while Colombia and China are still searching for their first points in the tourney.

Photo Credit : fifa.com