The Flamingoes face a tough match this afternoon in Mumbai against highly fancied USA as they battle to reach the semifinal of the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time in history.
Nigeria’s hopes in this decisive clash, which kicks off at 12 noon today, will be tied to the shooting boots of star striker Opeyemi Ajakaye, who has yet to score in the competition.
The FC Robo striker scored six goals in the qualifiers for this World Cup, but she has yet to hit target in India.
But even at that she has scooped two Player of the Match as she has worked her socks off in the three games the team have played in India.
The only thing left for her to do in India is to score a goal.
“Wake up and boss up!” she tweeted a day to this quarterfinal.
An upbeat Ajakaye further said: “This is war! I will give my best and sell myself to the world.”
A couple of goals from her boots today to eliminate the Americans would not be late in coming.
The Americans’ charm is Onyeka Gamero, whose father is Nigerian.
She is a highly promising forward, who has lived up to her top billing in India with a Player of the Match award, a goal and two assists.
Her importance to this team was underlined when she was one of seven starters rested by the team for their 4-0 bashing of Morocco in a final Group A match.
Onyeka is a lively and very skillful player who can on her own decide a game.
Will she be the one to stop the country of her father from making World Cup history today?
