Nigeria’s female cadet national team, Flamingos must watch out for Mexico’s sensational captain, Citlalli Reyes, when both countries lock horns on Thursday in the round of 16 at this year’s FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup, Sports247 reports.
The winner of Thursday’s clash in Salé, Morocco will go on to a quarter-finals fixture versus Venezuela, who shocked Germany 1-0 on Wednesday in a huge upset, but the hurdle facing the Flamingos for now is from Mexico.
Apart from knowing that the squad from central America has improved with each match they’ve played so far at Morocco 2026, there’s also a fresh part of history that they flaunt as bronze medalists just last year in the same competition.
Incidentally, Reyes was also a member the squad that almost romped to the final during the competition that took place in the same North African nation and she will be just too eager to use Nigeria as a stepping stone towards getting a gold medal this year.
A preview by fifa.com revealed: “This pair rallied during the first round by recovering from opening-day defeats to advance. Nigeria fell to Poland, but defeated Puerto Rico before pulling off a seismic upset by sinking DPR Korea 3-1 to take second spot in Group B.
“Mexico, meanwhile, fell to Spain and were a goal down to Chile in their second match, but dug deep to win that tussle 3-1 before edging Australia thanks to a goal from inspirational captain Citlalli Reyes (who) played her 13th finals match during the groups (stage).
“(That made her) the tournament’s record appearance-maker. Not only that, but she scored and assisted crucial goals versus Chile, before hitting the decisive strike against Australia which took her side to the last 16. A bronze medalist last year, she’s now eyeing gold.”
