October 21, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Under-17 national female football team, the Flamingos, defeated the USA 4-3 via penalties on Friday, to advance to the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semi-finals.
The Bankole Olowookere-coached team, set a Nigerian record when they scaled past the Americans because the Flamingos had only ever advanced as far as the quarter-finals and have thrice been stopped from going beyond the quarter-finals.
Amina Bello was fouled in the box by Ella Sanchez in the 25th minute, and thanks to VAR, Nigeria was given a penalty kick, which Omamuzo Edafe easily converted to break the deadlock and give Nigeria the advantage against the run of play because, at the time, the Americans were enjoying the better share of ball possession
The North Americans nearly tied the score two minutes later through Lauren Martinho, but her effort was deflected for a corner kick. However, in the 40th minute, Amalla Villarreal’s close-range effort was deflected into the net by Comfort Folorunso, to level the scores as both sides went into the break.
Chances came and went for both sides in the second half but no goals were scored. Olamide Oyinlola struck a direct shot into the arms of the American goalkeeper in the 71st minute from a distance while Miracle Usani made a timely goal line clearance with four minutes remaining in regular time to keep the Flamingos in the contest.
With penalty kicks on the horizon, Olowookere replaced goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku with Faith Omilana and after five rounds of kicks in the penalty shootout, Nigeria defeated the USA 4-3, with Edafe hitting the game-winning penalty and Omilana stopping one penalty for the win. In the historic semi-finals Nigeria will seek to go further against either Tanzania or Colombia.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
