Two goals, zero conceded, and a whole lot of national pride. Nigeria's U-17 women's team, the Flamingos, opened their FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup campaign with a clean 2-0 win over Puerto Rico, and football fans across the country are feeling it.
The victory has sparked an outpouring of praise on social media and beyond, with supporters celebrating the girls for their discipline and composure on the pitch. It is the kind of start that builds confidence, and fans are clearly hoping the team carries that energy into their next fixture.
With North Korea up next, the mood is cautious but optimistic. North Korea are historically one of the most competitive sides in youth women's football, so the Flamingos will need to bring the same focus, if not more, to that match. Fans and observers are urging the squad not to ease off after the opening win.
The Flamingos have shown they can perform on a world stage before, and this current group seems ready to add their own chapter to that story. Whether they can keep the momentum rolling against a tougher opponent is the question everyone is watching.
Originally published by BusinessDay.