AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Flamingos advanced to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 after a tense 1-0 quarter-final victory over Venezuela on Sunday.
Captain Azeezat Oduntan converted an 89th-minute penalty to secure the win in a closely contested match at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé. Oluebube Umejiaku won the foul inside the box that led to the spot-kick, and Oduntan kept her composure to slot the ball past Venezuelan goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales.
The late breakthrough ended Venezuela’s resistance and ensured Nigeria’s place in the last four. The Flamingos will face Brazil in the semi-final on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake.
This marks only the second time Nigeria have reached the semi-finals of the competition, following their bronze-medal finish at the 2022 edition in India. It also gives the side a record fourth victory in regular time at a single U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos recovered strongly from an opening 2-1 defeat to Poland. They responded with wins over Puerto Rico, defending champions North Korea (3-1), and Mexico(2-1) in the Round of 16 before overcoming Venezuela. Venezuela had themselves produced an upset by eliminating Germany in the last 16 after a difficult group stage.
Coach Akeem Busari’s side showed the resilience that has defined their campaign, grinding out a result against a physical South American opponent to keep their title hopes alive.Nigeria remain Africa’s sole representative in the tournament.
