Nigeria’s Flamingos are one win away from a first ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after captain Oduntan’s 89th-minute penalty beat Venezuela 1-0 in Morocco on Sunday.
Main image: DGBN graphic
A late twist in Salé
The quarter-final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé looked to be heading for extra time until Oluebube Umejiaku was brought down in the Venezuelan box with a minute of normal time left.
The referee pointed to the spot and the decision stood after a VAR review. Oduntan, who wears the armband, kept her nerve to send the Flamingos through.
Nigeria were the more dominant side but could not find a way past Venezuela captain and goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales until the dying minutes. Favour Nkwocha, booked in the first half, was named Player of the Match, according to Complete Sports.
Venezuela arrived with real pedigree after knocking out Germany 1-0 in the round of 16, which makes the result all the more significant for coach Busari’s young side.
From a stumble to a record run
The Flamingos’ tournament began badly with a 2-1 defeat to Poland in Group B. They have not looked back since.
- Beat Puerto Rico 2-0
- Beat DPR Korea 3-1, ending the Asian side’s 18-match unbeaten run in the competition
- Beat Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16
- Beat Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-final
That is four straight wins in regulation time, which Nigerian outlets report is a first for the country at a single edition of the tournament.
Brazil stand in the way
Next up is Brazil, who came from behind to beat China PR 2-1 in their own quarter-final. The semi-final is scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November.
This is only Nigeria’s second semi-final at this level. The first came in India in 2022, when the Flamingos went on to take bronze. Reaching the final would be new territory.
Why it matters
African women’s football has spent years fighting for investment, visibility and fair treatment. A deep run by teenagers on a world stage, played on African soil in Morocco, is a powerful statement about the talent coming through on the continent.
It is also a reward for a build-up that began weeks ago, when the Flamingos coach invited 25 players for the first phase of final camping.
On Wednesday, Nigeria and the wider African diaspora will be watching to see whether this side can make history.