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According to a report by Flashscore on Friday, October 23, 2026, Nigeria’s Flamingos delivered an impressive first-half performance against North Korea at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, taking a 2-0 lead into half-time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Goals from Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Oluebube Umejiaku gave Nigeria a strong advantage in the opening 45 minutes. The Flamingos also benefited from encouraging performances by Mary Dunstan and Tosin Rafiu, who were among the players who stood out during the first half.
Adegbuyi played an important role in Nigeria’s bright start by opening the scoring in the 15th minute. Her goal gave the Flamingos an early lead and helped them settle into the contest against their North Korean opponents. Scoring early was a major boost for the Nigerian side, as it allowed the players to approach the remainder of the first half with greater confidence.
The early breakthrough also put North Korea under pressure to respond. With Nigeria leading, the Asian side had to find a way to get back into the match while dealing with the threat posed by the Flamingos.
Umejiaku increased Nigeria’s advantage in the 38th minute, scoring the team’s second goal before the interval. Her effort came just seven minutes before the end of normal time in the first half, giving the Flamingos a valuable two-goal cushion heading into the dressing room.
The second goal was important because it strengthened Nigeria’s position and gave the team more room to manage the game in the second half. With Adegbuyi and Umejiaku both finding the net, Nigeria had two players contributing directly to the scoreline.
Mary Dunstan was also recognised among the Flamingos’ standout performers during the opening half. Her inclusion reflected her contribution to the team’s overall display as Nigeria worked to maintain its advantage in the important youth tournament.
Tosin Rafiu was another player who earned recognition for her first-half performance. Alongside her teammates, she helped Nigeria produce an encouraging display against a North Korean team competing at the international level.
Although the two-goal lead placed Nigeria in a promising position, the Flamingos still needed to remain focused after the break. North Korea had an opportunity to respond, making it important for the Nigerian players to maintain their discipline and concentration.
The first-half display gave Nigeria a strong foundation, with Adegbuyi and Umejiaku providing the goals while Dunstan and Rafiu also received recognition for their contributions.