Nigeria’s Flamingos failed to progress to the final at the
2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India following a 6-5 penalty shootout
defeat against Colombia.
The first time Nigeria will be playing in the semi-final of
the biennial competition, the game ended in a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes.
Emmanuel Blessing came close to netting the curtain raiser
for Nigeria on six minutes but her effort went inches wide.
The Flamingos maintained the pressure with Shakirat Oyinlola
coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute.
The Colombians turned the heat afterwards with goalkeeper
Faith Omilana making a couple of good saves.
The South Americans had a goal ruled for offside late in the
first half.
Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere replaced Fatimo
Adeshina with Opeyemi Ajakaye after the break.
The Nigerian girls came under repeated pressure in the
second half but Omilana was at her best thwarting the Colombians.
Omilana was replaced by second-choice goalkeeper Linda
Jiwuaku at 90 minutes.
The game went straight into penalties after both teams
failed to score in regulation time.
The Flamingos scored five penalty kicks, while the
Colombians netted six.
This development made Nigeria failed to qualify for the
final of this year’s U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
FACTUAL NAIJA NEWS reports that if Nigeria had converted
their fifth penalty kick, they would have been playing in their first-ever
final at the tournament.