Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties after both teams played a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes of regulation time
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Flamingos defeated tournament favourites, the United States on Friday to reach the last four of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
The Flamingos won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes of regulation time to reach their first-ever semi-final at the tournament.
Nigeria took the lead in the first half when Edafe converted a penalty kick that was awarded by the centre referee after a United State player was deemed to have committed an infringement in the penalty box.
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The Americans piled pressure on the Nigerians and were rewarded just before half-time. They equalized in the 40th minute through Amalia Martina Villarreal’s strike
After regulation time, both teams could not be separated and the game went into penalty shootouts.
Before the shootout, Coach Olowookere Bankole made a tactical switch, bringing on Linda Jiwuaka to replace goalkeeper Faith Omilana.
The switch paid off in the end as Linda saved the last spot kick to hand Nigeria a semi-final ticket.
Nigeria will now play the winner of the game (holding on Saturday) between Colombia and Tanzania on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022.