Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, made history on Friday by beating the USA in a nervy penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals of the U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time in India.
The brave young Nigerian girls, who were overwhelming underdogs before the game, fought gallantly and were lucky to triumph 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time.
The Flamingos, who have been at the quarterfinal stage on many occasions previously, were looking to break the jinx by reaching the final four for the first time.
It took a brave effort from Bankole Olowookere’s side to break the jinx and reach the semifinals of the cadet tournament since its inception in 2008.
Flamingos scored first in the 27th minute after Omamuzo Edafe converted from the penalty spot, but the Americans equalized in the 40th minute off a deflected Amelia Villarreal shot inside the box.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw but there would be no extra time as they proceeded to a penalty shoot out.
After Colombia and Tanzania faced off on Saturday and it was the former that won the game 3-0. By virtue of the result, Nigeria will now battle the South American girls for a place in the final later this coming week.
The semi-final has been scheduled for the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
We won’t relent – Bankole Olowookere
Head coach of Flamingos, Bankole Olowookere, says his side needs two more wins to make history at the ongoing 2022 Women’s U-17 World Cup in India, Saturday PUNCH reports.
It was a historic win as the Flamingoes qualified for the semi-finals for the first time in their history by edging favourites USA in their quarterfinal meeting on Friday.
“I feel great making Nigerian happy with this victory,” Olowokere said in his post-match interview.
“We won’t rest on our oars to ensure that we complete the history we set out here to achieve.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
