Flamingos player ratings: Adegoke, Abdulwahab steal the show; Van Dijk-like display from Adebayo

The Flamingos defeated New Zealand 4-1 in the Fifa U17 Women's World Cup opening game on Wednesday.

 Allnigeriasoccer.com runs the rule over the Nigerian players in action.

The starters

Goalkeeper

Christiana Uzoma: She had nothing much to do the whole game and could have done nothing to prevent the goal. 7/10

Defenders

Onyedikachi Ekezie: The left-back was so full of energy, surging forward by running to the inside and wasn't caught off guard defensively. 7.5/10

Hannah Ibrahim: Alongside her partner, she ensured the Flamingos' highline worked effectively. She could have closed down Hannah Saxon's for her goal. 7.5/10

Jumai Adebayo: The young centre-back must have made her idol, Virgil van Dijk proud with her fantastic brilliant defensive performance. 8/10

Taiwo Adegoke: The right-back got the second of the game and also produced a fantastic assist for the fourth of the game while not neglecting her defensive duties. 9/10

Midfielders and forwards

Faridat Abdulwahab: After a series of attempts, the young midfielder finally got on the scoresheet with a brilliant goal from outside the area. 8.5/10

Shakira Moshood: She took her goal well, her bust of pace from the midfield is worth noting, and she was hardworking when Nigeria was out of possession. 8/10

Taiwo Afolabi: The skipper started slowly but grew into the game, took her goal brilliantly, and could have registered an assist. 8/10

Harmony Chidi: The New Zealand defence couldn't contain her pace and movement. Having been the top scorer in the qualifying campaign, she must have been disappointed not to have gotten on the scoresheet.6/10

Peace Effiong: Deployed as central forward but was always drifting wide, which made it difficult for her to be contained. 7.5/10

Aishat Animashaun: She looked very likely, particularly in the first half, getting past her marker at every opportunity with her quick feet and also offering defensive support. 7/10

The substitutes

Ramatalahi Kareem: Almost set up fellow substitute Ifitezue for a goal, but the latter was flagged for offside. Good cameo off the bench. 6.5/10

Blessing Ifitezue: She helped the Flamingos maintain their momentum and made an effort to strike the woodwork from an offside position. 6/10

Muinat Rotimi: She only came on three minutes before the end of the normal regulation time. 

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: The Super Falcons Show

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