Nigeria’s national women U17 team, also known as the Flamingoes, have secured an impressive 1-1 draw with Ethiopia in what was the first leg of their 2018 FIFA World Cup second stage qualifier in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

The team took the lead in the 18th minute through winger Joy Jerry but the hosts battled back in the second half courtesy Tarikow Debiso’s 63rd strike. Neither side could thereafter add to their tally as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw.

Nigeria will now host Ethiopia in the second leg match in two weeks time at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City to determine who will face Cameroon or Algeria in the last round to the U17 World Cup in France next year.

Nigeria have qualified for all the five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and they are one of the favourites to qualify for the 2018 edition.