AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Flamingos take on Venezuela this evening in a high-stakes quarter-final at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. A place in the semi-finals is on the line when the two sides meet at Pitch 4 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé (kick-off 7pm Nigerian time / 6pm local).
Nigeria’s campaign has gradually increased their Confidence. The Flamingos opened with a 2-1 loss to Poland, then responded strongly: a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico followed by a statement 3-1 victory over defending champions North Korea that ended the Asians’ long unbeaten run at the tournament.
In the Round of 16 they edged Mexico 2-1, with goals from Oluebube Umejiaku and Mary Dunstan, despite a late consolation that forced them to see the game out under pressure.
Venezuela’s route has been more precarious. After losses to France and Japan, they scraped through the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams thanks to a win over Zambia. They then produced the biggest shock of the knockout stage so far, beating Germany 1-0 to reach the last eight. The South Americans have a strong historical pedigree at this level, having reached the semi-finals in 2014 and 2016.
Key Context and Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between the two sides at the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria have been near-permanent fixtures at the competition and finished third in India in 2022. Venezuela are back after a long absence and will be motivated to extend their strong record of reaching the last four.
Coach Akeem Busari has been careful not to underestimate the opponents. He has stressed that every remaining team is a contender and that Venezuela’s win over Germany proves their quality. The message to his players has been clear: approach the game with the right mentality, fight for every ball, and take the contest to the South Americans.
Players to Watch
• Oluebube Umejiaku – Nigeria’s leading threat and consistent goalscorer in the tournament.
• Mary Dunstan – Scored against Mexico and offers energy and quality in midfield/attack.
• Oluwakemi Adegbuyi – Important contributor in the group stage.
• Venezuela’s organisation and defensive resilience will be tested by Nigeria’s movement in behind.
Game management will be crucial. Nigeria have shown they can create chances and beat strong sides, but late goals conceded (against Poland and Mexico) underline the need for concentration until the final whistle.
What’s at Stake
A win returns the Flamingos to the semi-finals for the first time since their bronze-medal campaign in 2022. For Venezuela, victory would mean a third consecutive last-four appearance and continue their reputation as South America’s most consistent performers at this age grade.
The match is expected to be tight and physical. South American sides are typically strong in duels, while Nigeria have shown attacking fluency and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Many observers favour Nigeria on current form, but the margin is likely to be fine.
Kick-off: Sunday, 1 November 2026 – 7:00pm WAT
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Complex (Pitch 4), Salé, Morocco
