Nigeria’s Under 17 team, popularly known as Flamingos have qualified for the semi-finals of 2022 U-17 women’s World Cup. This is also the first time the team would be reaching the last four in the competition.
The U-17 women’s World Cup is currently going on in India, where the Nigerian girls beat USA girls on penalties in Friday’s quarter-finals to book a place in the semifinals.
Nigeria beat the United States 4-3 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time following a 1-1 draw.
According to BBC, Omamuzo Edafe scored the deciding spot kick to end a tense shoot-out in Navi Mumbai.
USA, who finished runners-up at the maiden tournament in 2008, and Nigeria both failed to find a winner in the second half which took the game to penalties.
A dramatic shoot-out saw Emri shoot wide in the second round of penalties to hand Nigeria an early advantage.
Miracle Usani saw her effort saved in the following round, but was allowed a retake because USA keeper Valentina Amaral had strayed off her line and was able to net at the second attempt.
Comfort Folorunsho sent her effort over the bar in the fourth round of penalties to give the USA hope but Nigeria keeper Linda Jiwuaku, who had come on as an injury-time substitute, then saved from Riley Jackson.
That allowed Edafe to calmly slot home to send the Flamingos into their maiden semi-final.
Nigeria, who have taken part in all but the 2018 edition of the U-17 World Cup finals, will face the winner of Saturday’s game between Colombia and African other representative Tanzania in the semi-finals on 26 October.
