Acting Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme has urged Nigeria’s Flamingos to carry the determination from their 3-1 win over two-time winners Korea DPR into Thursday’s Round of 16 match against Mexico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Ikpeme made the call during a visit to the team’s training session on Monday morning. He told the players to take each game as it comes and stay focused on reaching the quarter-finals. He also promised to attend the match on Thursday, October 29.

Nigeria secured their place in the knockout round with Friday’s win over Korea DPR. They have scored six goals in three group games. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku scored two each, Precious Oscar scored the second goal against Puerto Rico, and Rodiat Kanyinsola Yusuf netted a free-kick against Korea DPR.

The tie pits two former bronze medallists against each other. Nigeria took bronze in India four years ago, beating Germany 3-2 on penalties in the third-place match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai after leading 3-0 after 63 minutes, only for Germany to draw level before the final whistle. It was Nigeria’s first podium finish at the competition. Mexico won bronze at last year’s tournament, also staged in Morocco, beating Brazil 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. (The Nation)