Prolific striker Opeyemi Ajakaiye took her goals’ tally to six in the ongoing FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualifying series when she scored the only goal as Nigeria edged hosts Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Friday afternoon.

In the final round, first leg duel staged at the Abebe Bekila Stadium, both sides had failed to make hay from a number of opportunities in the first half-hour, but the lithe forward struck in the 36^th minute after she was put through by diminutive midfielder Taiwo Afolabi.

The goal meant Ajakaiye had scored in each of the Flamingos’ five matches of the qualifying series so far, including a brace against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 5-0 spanking in Benin City.

Omowunmi Bello, who scored three of the goals in Nigeria’s 6-0 aggregate thumping of Egypt in the earlier round, came close to increasing her own tally in the campaign, only to see her 35 –yard shot rock the upright in the 50^th minute.

Kumneger Kebede, Emush Daniel and Bethelem Germa all had chances to equalize for the homers in the second period but met with an unyielding Nigeria rearguard and an inspired goalkeeper Faith Omilana who had an excellent game.

Both teams will clash again at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 4^th June with the winner on aggregate qualifying as one of Africa’s three representatives at this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in India.

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has selected 23 Flamingos for Saturday’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup third round, second clash between Nigeria and Egypt at the Petrosports Stadium, Cairo.

Team captain Alvine Dah-Zossu, goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Comfort Folorunsho, Miracle Usani and Blessing Sunday, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi and Blessing Emmanuel, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaiye, Anastasia Atume and Omowunmi Bello have made the cut alongside 13 others.

Bello scored two of the goals that condemned the Egyptian girls to a 4-0 defeat in Abuja last week Sunday, after team’s top scorer Opeyemi Ajakaiye opened the account at the MKO Abiola National Stadium. Defender Miracle Usani netted the other goal.

The Flamingos contingent will depart Nigeria on Thursday, with the encounter set for the Petrosports Stadium as from 10pm on Saturday, 30^th April. The winner on aggregate will qualify for the final round of the African series, where it will await the winner of the Ethiopia/South Africa fixture. The Ethiopian girls trounced their South African counterparts 3-0 away in Johannesburg in the first leg.

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will hold in India, 11^th – 30^th October.

FLAMINGOS FOR EGYPT:

Goalkeepers: Faith Omilana; Linda Jiwuaku

Defenders: Blessing Sunday; Comfort Folorunsho; Tumininu Adeshina; Olamide Oyinlola; Josephine Edafe; Miracle Usani; Confidence Nwoha; Mistura Yusuf.

Midfielders: Blessing Emmanuel; Taiwo Afolabi; Chidera Okenwa; Joy Igbokwe

Forwards: Omowunmi Bello; Mercy Itimi; Alvine Dah-Zossu; Anastasia Atume; Opeyemi Ajakaiye; Yetunde Ayantosho; Judith Okah; Bisola Mosaku; Raheemot Adebayo