India 2022: Nigeria Makes History, Defeats USA, Zooms Into Semi Final

By Akinwale Kasali

After a pulsating 90 minutes of encounter with football powerhouse, the United States of America, the Nigeria Under-17 Female National Team, the Flamingoes, made history, by booking a place in the Semi finals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in India.

With the match deadlocked at 1-1, penalty was needed to separate the two footballing nation with the African powerhouse coming out victorious 4-3.

The Americans dominated the entire duration of the match as the Flamingoes were forced to defend all through the match having just a shot on goal throughout the duration of the match.

Nigeria took the lead in the 26th minutes courtesy of Omamuzo Edafe from the penalty spot after the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, spotted a foul on Amina Bello to award Nigeria the spot kick.

Before the half time break, USA equalized through Amalla Villarreal in the 43rd minutes.

In the second half, the Americans didn’t rest on their oars mounting pressure on the Nigerians but failed to convert their chances.

On several occasions, Flamingoes goalkeeper, Faith Omilana was called into action and she was equal to the task.

As the match was drawing to a close, Coach Bankole Olowookere replaced Goalkeeper Faith Omilana with Chikamso Jiwuaku who made two saves to give the Flamingoes victory and advance into the semi final stage.

Coach Olowookere stuck with the team that played Chile in the last group match,  with Faith Omilana in goal, Miracle Comfort Folorunsho, Tunmininu Adeshina, Shakirat Oyinlola and Miracle Usani in the defense,

Taiwo Afolabi, Blessing Emmanuel, Bisola Mosaku and Omamuzo Edafe in the midfield.

While Opeyemi Ajakaye and Amina Bello led the attack.

In an interview with FIFA TV after the match, Coach Olowookere said that the world should be prepared for more upsets as his team advances into the next stage.

The Flamingoes will face the winner in third Quarter Finals match between Tanzania and Colombia.