FIFA World Cup bronze medallists Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso in the first leg of their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup third-round qualifying fixture in Bamako on Saturday.
The irrepressible Harmony Chidi, who netted five of the Nigerian team’s 12 goals against Central African Republic in the second round, was all over the Burkinabes right from the first blast of the whistle, and alongside Peace Effiong and Shakirat Moshood made life difficult for the fellow West Africans in the Malian capital.
Petite midfielder Taiwo Afolabi and defender Prisca Nwachukwu also tested the Malian goalkeeper, but the first half was destined to end scoreless.
Ten minutes into the second half, Harmony Chidi finally got the breakthrough, slotting past the opposing goalie.
She could have doubled the advantage with 12 minutes left, but after slaloming past three defenders she placed her shot a little too high.
Poor communication between goalkeeper Ijeoma Uzoma and her rearguard handed Burkina Faso a lifeline in the 84th minute, and Rainata Oubda made no mistake to restore parity.
Both teams will clash in the second leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 18 May.
