Nigeria’s disappointment at exiting in the Round of 16 of the recently concluded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic might be softened by a bright note: the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, received the FIFA Fair Play award at the end of the tournament.
The Flamingos earned the distinction of being the ‘cleanest’ team in the competition, having accumulated the fewest disciplinary cautions.
Throughout their three group-stage matches against New Zealand, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, the team did not receive a single yellow or red card.
The sole caution of their entire campaign came in the Round of 16 match against the United States.
Nigeria at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup
Group Stage Results
- New Zealand 1-4 Nigeria
- Nigeria 4-0 Ecuador
- Nigeria v Dominican Republic
Round of 16
- Nigeria 0-2 United States
Award Winners at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
North Korea claimed the tournament title, defeating Spain 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The United States, who eliminated Nigeria, secured the bronze medal by beating England 3-0 in the third-place match.
DR Korea’s Jan Il-Chong was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball for being the tournament’s best player, while Spain’s Pau Comendador earned the Adidas Golden Boot as the top scorer with five goals, edging out Nigeria’s Shakira Moshood, who scored four.
United States goalkeeper Evan O’Steen won the Adidas Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
Finally, Nigeria’s Flamingos proudly took home the FIFA Fair Play award.
