U17WWC: JINX BROKEN - NIGERIA PROGRESSD TO THE SEMI FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

By Olamide Awoyinfa

Nigeria's U17 Women's team - Flamingos are through to the semi finals at the on going FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in India after playing 1-1 in the duration time before winning 4-3 in the shoot out on Friday. The victory over the Americans at the DY Patil, Mumbai Stadium means the Flamingos has advanced to the semifinal of the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup for the first time ever. Coach Bankole Olowookere side, took the lead in the 27th minutes after the VAR review showed Amina Bello was fouled in the box, for Edafe Omamuzo to score from the spot. The Americans pressure finally paid off when Amalica Villarreal find the equaliser after a deflection off Comfort Folorunsho in the 40th minute to restore parity.

In a dramatic shootout, where USA missed their second kick, and later on Folorunsho missed Nigeria's fourth kick, before that Usani missed also but a VAR check showed that the Americans goal keeper was off her line and it was retaken and scored, Omamuzo Edafe with the decisive spot kick after 94th minute substitute Chikamso Jiwuaku had saved to send Nigeria's U17s to the semi final of the U17 Women's World Cup for the first time ever.

The Flamingos will now face one of Colombia or Tanzania on October 26th in India in thier semi final clash.