- The Nigerian women's cadet bounced back from their opening-day defeat to Germany to overpower the Islanders in Goa
Nigeria did their FIFA U17 Women's World Cup hopes a lot of good by handing a 4-0 thrashing out to New Zealand at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday afternoon.
The Flamingos knew a defeat would send them packing from the tournament after an opening day 2-1 defeat to Germany at the same venue.
New Zealand arrived with similar motivation following their 3-1 loss to Chile also on Tuesday.
But it was the Nigerian girls who showed more composure, organisation, and quality in the final third to earn their first points of India 2022.
In the first half of countless missed opportunities, Bello nodded Nigeria into the lead after meeting a teasing cross with a firm header.
Young defender Usani grabbed her second goal of the tournament with a cross-cum-shot that deceived the New Zealand backline and sailed into the roof of the net.
The Bankole Olowookere-tutored girls found little trouble after the halftime break to build on that two-goal advantage.
Mercurial number 10 Afolabi drove Nigeria's third goal into the top corner from about 25 yards before Etim completed the rout in stoppage time.
The Flamingos will advance to the competition's knockout stage with a victory in their last group game against Chile.
New Zealand are, however, out of the World Cup after suffering back-to-back defeats.
