Nigeria’s Flamingos beat the US on Friday to reach their first-ever semi-final at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes of regulation time.
Coming into the game, the Americans were tipped as the favourites but Onamuzo Edafe gave Nigeria the lead just after 25 minutes. A VAR review had confirmed a foul on Amina Bello with the referee wasting no time in pointing to the spot.
The Americans piled pressure on the Nigerians and were rewarded just before half-time. They equalized in the 40th minute through Amalia Martina Villarreal’s strike.
Both teams started the second half trying to get a second goal with the US dominating much of the encounter. But a goal never came resulting in a penalty shootout to decide who goes into the semi-final.
Nigeria will now play the winner of the game (holding on Saturday) between Colombia and Tanzania on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022.
Before the shootout, Coach Olowookere Bankole had made a double switch that many would describe as tactical. He brought on Linda Jiwuaka to replace goalkeeper Faith Omilana while Amina Bello was substituted and Offing Immaculate was brought in.
The switch paid off in the end as Linda saved the last spot kick to hand Nigeria a semi-final ticket.
An excited Coach Bankole, who was beaming with a smile after the game, said he is “here to create a lot of upset, to turn a lot of things”. He thanked God and Nigerians for their support so far, expressing confidence that her girls will go all the way.
