A previously unsong member of Nigeria’s female cadet national team, Flamingos, shot into the history books on Wednesday night, after netting a brace of goals that helped her country defeat Brazil 3-1 in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup semi-finals.
Sports247 reports that the latest name to hail in the annals of Nigerian football across all levels and categories of the game is Awawu Bashiru, who made the best of her first start in the ongoing competition in Rabat, Morocco to significantly etch her name in glory.
Though not listed with any formidable club back home in Nigeria, the 16-year-old lass fondly called ‘Omo Bashiru’ justified the trust Coach Akeem Busari has on her, as she made the best of her first start and eventually emerged player of the match.
Incidentally, Bashiru’s brace came during a second half blitz from Busari’s girls, as the Flamingos turned on the heat and got their breakthrough when Oluwakemi Adegbuyi cut in from the right, then slid a neat pass across to equally vibrant Queen Joseph to net the first goal.
Bashiru then doubled the advantage when what initially appeared to be her cross from the left went all the way into the net with a stroke of luck, but the Nigerian number 11 proved her exceptional class just nine minutes later, after skipping past a defender and calmly knocked in her brace.
Suddenly, everyone started muttering the new name to cherish, ‘Bashiru,’ a teenage attacking midfielder, who hit target in the 71st and 80th minutes, while helping Nigeria become the first African country to reach the Female Cadet Mundial’s final and on the threshold of another historic trophy.
Interestingly, though, Bashiru had been earnestly knocking on the door of fame before now, having earlier excelled in the West African Football Union (WAFU)-B qualifiers, during which she scored a long-range goal against Côte d’Ivoire and another sizzler in a 5-0 win over Niger Republic.
‘Omo Bashiru’ (born March 30th, 2010), who is highly regarded for her footwork, ball skills, long shots, vision, mobility and energy in the middle of the park, has played just 73 minutes of this championship, but she has already joined Nigeria’s roll call of heroines with personal gongs at Morocco 2026.
“(It) was my first start, so I’m so happy, I’m so excited. I’m so proud of myself, my teammates, my coach and the teamwork. We did it, and it was not an easy task. I thank God. I’m grateful,” Bashiru retorted gleefully.
