THE Flamingos of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso in the first leg of their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup African third qualifying tie in Bamako, Mali today.
The match was played in Mali because Burkina Faso did not have a suitable stadium to host the fixture.
Harmony Chidi, who scored five of the Flamingos’ 12 goals against Central African Republic in the second round, put Nigeria ahead 10 minutes into the second half.
Burkina Faso levelled up in the 84th minute through Rainata Oubda to avoid going into the second leg in Abuja with a defeat.
Chidi was the livewire of the Flamingos early on, combining with Peace Effiong and Shakirat Moshood to keep the Burkina Faso defence on their toes.
Midfielder Taiwo Afolabi and defender Prisca Nwachukwu also had efforts on target but the ‘hosts’ managed to keep a clean sheet in the first half.
After her 55th minute goal, Chidi came close again, shooting wide after skipping past three Burkina Faso defenders with 12 minutes left on the clock.
The Flamingos would come to rue that miss and other fluffed opportunities as a mix-up between goalkeeper Ijeoma Uzoma and her defenders presented a chance to Oubda, who slotted home the equaliser.
Both teams will meet again in the second leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja next Saturday.
