Nigeria secured a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after a 2-1 victory over Mexico in Rabat on Thursday.

The Flamingos made the stronger start, applying pressure as Mexico tested them through early efforts from Citlalli Reyes and Natalia Perez in the fourth and seventh minutes.

Nigeria remained composed and began to create opportunities of their own. Kanyinsola Yusuf and Mary Dunstan both went close in the 29th and 30th minutes before Oluebube Umejiaku opened the scoring shortly before half-time.

Umejiaku collected the ball among three defenders, produced a solo run and finished past Mexico goalkeeper Lopez in the 40th minute.

Nigeria controlled much of the first half and went into the interval with confidence. They continued to dictate the game after the restart, although head coach Hakeem Busari was forced to make an early change when Oluwakemi Adegbuyi suffered a knock in the first half.

Precious Oscar replaced Adegbuyi in Nigeria’s first substitution of the match.

The Flamingos extended their advantage in the 71st minute when Dunstan finished from close range. It was her first goal of the tournament.

Mexico continued to push for a way back into the match and were rewarded deep into added time. Camila Campos scored in the 10th minute of added time in the second half, shooting past Nigeria goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.

The late goal created a tense finish, but Nigeria held on to complete the win and progress to the last eight.

The Flamingos will face Venezuela in the quarter-finals on Sunday. Venezuela reached the stage after edging Germany in their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s victory also prompted financial rewards from officials. The Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on Grassroots Sports Development, Mr. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye, pledged N2 million to the players.

The NFF Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, separately pledged N1 million for the team.