By Akinwale Kasali
Nigeria’s Female Under-17 Team, the Flamingos, have booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup finals ongoing in Morocco after securing a hard fought 1-0 victory over Venezuela Sunday night. Azeezatt Oduntan scored a late penalty in the 89th minute to give her team victory.
The quarter-final contest had been strongly fought. Nigeria created several opportunities but found Venezuela’s goalkeeper, Valeria Rebanales a huge stumbling block.
The Flamingos enjoyed much of the attacking play in the first half, but Rebanales produced a couple of saves to keep the scores level.
Midfielder, Favour Nkwocha was also cautioned as Nigeria continued to press for an opening goal.
Flamingos Coach, Hakeem Busari made his first change of the evening, introducing Precious Oscar for Oluwakemi Adegbuyi as Nigeria looked to find a way through.
The deadlock remained unbroken until the 88th minute, when the referee initially awarded Nigeria a penalty before being invited to the VAR monitor to review the decision.
Following the review, the penalty was upheld, and Oduntan stepped forward to convert from the spot with a minute left on the clock, giving Nigeria the breakthrough.
Top scorer, Oluebube Umejiaku had won the penalty for the Flamingos, setting up Oduntan to deliver the decisive moment of the contest.
The victory sends Nigeria into the semi-finals, where they will face Brazil, who secured a 2-1 win over China in their quarter-final encounter.
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