Nigeria’s Flamingos have certified for the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after edging Venezuela 1-0 in a tense quarter-final encounter in Morocco on Sunday.
Captain Azeezat Oduntan scored the decisive aim from the penalty spot within the 89th minute to ship the Nigerian children into the final 4 for solely the second time of their historical past.
The breakthrough got here after Oluebube Umejiaku was fouled contained in the penalty space, prompting the referee to award Nigeria a spot kick. Oduntan stepped ahead and transformed to provide the Flamingos a dramatic late lead.
The victory marks Nigeria’s return to the semi-finals for the primary time since their historic third-place end on the 2022 version in India.
The contest was carefully fought, with Nigeria creating a number of alternatives however struggling to beat Venezuela’s goalkeeper and captain, Valeria Rebanales.
Tosin Rafiu got here shut within the nineteenth minute, however Rebanales reacted nicely to tip her effort over the crossbar. The Venezuelan goalkeeper was once more known as into motion within the thirty fifth minute, denying Mary Dunstan.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi additionally threatened earlier than half-time, however neither facet may discover the breakthrough because the groups went into the interval goalless.
Venezuela had alternatives of their very own, with Ariana Ojeda and Migleydys Bolsegui testing Nigeria’s defence.
The second half continued in a equally aggressive style, with the Flamingos pushing for a aim in opposition to a Venezuelan facet that had already demonstrated its resilience by eliminating Germany within the spherical of 16.
Nigeria finally discovered the breakthrough by Oduntan’s late penalty, ending Venezuela’s problem and securing a spot among the many event’s last 4.
ALSO READ: U-17 WWC: Busari warns Venezuela as Flamingos target semi-finals
The outcome extends the Flamingos’ spectacular run in Morocco. After shedding their opening group match 2-1 to Poland, Akeem Busari’s facet recovered with victories over Puerto Rico and defending champions DPR Korea to progress from Group B.
They subsequently defeated Mexico 2-1 within the spherical of 16 earlier than overcoming Venezuela to achieve the semi-finals.
Nigeria’s victory additionally retains alive their ambition of profitable the competitors for the primary time.
Meanwhile, the opposite African workforce within the quarter-finals, Ghana had been eradicated on Sunday, with Japan edging them 1-0 to advance.
The Flamingos will now flip their consideration to the semi-finals as they search to take one other step in direction of the title.
Discover extra from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your electronic mail.
