U17 Women’s W/Cup: Nigeria beats US to reach first-ever semi-final

Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked a place in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The Bankole Olowookere-led girls achieved the feat after defeating the United States 4-3 on penalties at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday.

Nigeria faced the Americans, who were one of the highest goal-scoring sides in the competition, and held their own against the US.

The Flamingos’ display was a pale resemblance to the dominating performances that secured a second-place finish for the Nigerians in group B.

But they were the first to hit the back of the net in the 26th minute after Aminat Bello was clipped on the Americans’ goal area and a VAR review adjudged the contact impactful enough for a penalty.

Omamuzo Edafe stepped up and send Valentina Amaral the wrong way.

Nigeria was pegged back in the 40th minute, however, after Amalia Villareal’s shot deflected off Comfort Folorounsho to buzz past Faith Omilana into the net.

The scoreline remained one-all throughout the regular time as the Flamingos withstood the pressure from the Americans.

The game tapered into a penalty shootout and Ella Emri and Mia Bhuta had their kicks skied and saved respectively by Linda Jiwuaku, Nigeria’s substitute goalkeeper.

Edafe scored the final penalty kick and sent Nigeria to their first-ever U17 women’s world cup semi-final.

Flamingos will face the winner of the fourth quarter-final between Tanzania and Colombia.

The game will be played on Wednesday.