FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos ready to make World Cup final history against Brazil

Nigeria‘s Flamingos will face the formidable Brazil team on Wednesday, November 4, in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The match is scheduled for 7:00 pm Nigerian time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex – Pitch 3 in Rabat, Morocco.

Brazil come into this encounter as an undefeated side in the tournament so far, reaching their second consecutive semi-final.

The victorious side of this encounter will get to play in the World Cup Final while the defeated team will play a third-place match to compete for a Bronze medal.

 Flamingos target historic World Cup final appearance

The Flamingos booked their place in the semi-final after securing a win against the Venezuelan side on Sunday through Azeezat Oduntan’s penalty goal in the 89th minute.

Speaking with FIFA correspondents ahead of the encounter, Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari expressed his excitement at reaching the stage of the tournament, he said.

“Reaching the semi-finals is a dream come true for me and a great achievement. I’m looking forward to it because I want to make my country proud,” he added.

“We want to give our best in the next match and show everyone what we can do,” Busari said.

Striker Oluebube Umejiaku and midfielder Mary Dunstan will be critical in breaking down the Brazilian defense, while captain Azeezat Oduntan the hero of the quarterfinal penalty will anchor the backline alongside tournament standouts like Kanyinsola Rodiat Yusuf.

The brilliance of goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho, who has made 16 saves in the tournament, will be key against Brazil.

 “We plan to find ways to hurt Nigeria.” – Rilany, Brazil coach

Brazil’s head coach, Rilany Silva, has openly acknowledged that she anticipates an incredibly tough and highly physical test from the African giants.

“I’m expecting an extremely difficult match. Nigeria are a very physical team,” she said.

“By the 90th minute, they’ll probably still be running as if it were the fifth. We’ll need to be very strategic with our game plan to find ways to hurt Nigeria,” Rilany said.

Brazil enters the match undefeated and possesses a lethal attack spearheaded by Greise Kelly, who leads her side with 3 goals and 5 assists.

Kelly has contributed to eight of the Seleção’s 17 goals, including a tournament-high five assists, while spellbinding defences with her exceptional dribbling.

 Brazil and Nigeria’s routes to the semi-finals

Brazil remain undefeated in this campaign with a rollercoaster 6-2 win over Canada to set the tone for their campaign, an enthralling 3-3 draw with Ghana, and a resounding 3-0 win against Norway to secure qualification from the group stage.
They recorded another 3-3 draw against Poland in the tournament’s Round of 16.

Rilany’s side then found themselves behind against China PR, but rallied with two goals after the break to make it to a second successive semi-final.

Nigeria fell to defeat in their opener, losing 2-1 to Poland, which left Akeem Busari‘s side with a battle to keep their knockout hopes alive.

They downed Puerto Rico 2-0 to get back on track, before their tournament-shaking victory over DPR Korea saw them soar into the second round.

Mexico were dispatched in the last 16, with Venezuela next to fall thanks to an 89th-minute Azeezat Oduntan penalty.

History awaits the Flamingos

Despite both teams reaching the semi-finals in previous editions, neither has made it to the final.

A victory will propel Nigeria into their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final, shattering their previous tournament record.
Nigeria will be hoping not to be on the losing side of this semi-final and finish better than their 2022 bronze finish.

The post FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos eye historic first U-17 World Cup final against Brazil appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Venezuela in their quarter-final clash.

Captain Azeezat Oduntan scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 88th minute to send Nigeria into the last four for the second time in the competition’s history.

The victory also extended the Flamingos‘ winning run in Morocco to four matches following their opening-day defeat to Poland.

Nigeria will now face Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final as they seek to reach the final of the tournament for the first time.

Flamingos find late breakthrough against Venezuela

The Flamingos dominated much of the attacking play but struggled to find a way past a determined Venezuelan defence.

Mary Dunstan, Tosin Rafiu and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi all threatened Nigeria’s opponents, but their efforts were kept out by Venezuela captain and goalkeeper Valeria Rebanales, who produced several important saves.

With the match seemingly heading towards a penalty shootout, Nigeria finally found the breakthrough two minutes before the end of normal time.

Top scorer Oluebube Umejiaku won a penalty after being fouled inside the box. Following a review, the referee upheld the decision, allowing Oduntan to step forward and calmly convert from the spot in the 88th minute.

Venezuela pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Nigeria held firm to protect their advantage and secure a place in the semi-finals.

Favour Nkwocha was named Player of the Match for her performance.

Flamingos reach semi-finals for second time

The result marks the second time Nigeria have reached the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having previously achieved the feat in 2022, when they finished third and claimed the bronze medal in India.

After losing their opening match 2-1 to Poland, the Flamingos responded with victories over Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico and Venezuela to secure their place in the final four.

Nigeria are also the only African team remaining in the competition following Ghana‘s quarter-final defeat to Japan.

The victory gives the Flamingos an opportunity to reach the final for the first time, but they must first overcome Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

The post FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos sink Venezuela with late penalty to reach semi-finals appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.

Nigeria’s Flamingos will face Venezuela on Sunday, November 1, with a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco at stake.

The quarter-final encounter is scheduled for 7:00 pm Nigerian time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Pitch 4, in Rabat, as Nigeria seek to move a step closer to their ambition of winning the tournament.

The Flamingos head into the contest on the back of three consecutive victories against Puerto Rico, Korea DPR and Mexico, boosting their confidence ahead of the decisive encounter.

Head coach Akeem Busari has urged his players to remain disciplined, organised and clinical as they prepare to overcome the South Americans and secure a place in the last four.

Busari warns Flamingos against underestimating Venezuela

Despite their impressive run of results, Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has cautioned his players against underestimating Venezuela, describing them as a dangerous and physical opponent following their elimination of Germany in the previous round.

“What I normally say is that every team in the competition is a contender; everyone could be a champion. Venezuela won their game (against Germany), so they are a good side,” he said.

“But Nigeria are too, so on the day it’ll be decided over 90 minutes, and we’ll all give our best,” he added.

Venezuela’s victory over Germany has underlined the threat they pose, with Busari expecting a competitive encounter as both sides battle for a semi-final ticket.

Flamingos count on attacking strength and Ijirigho

The Flamingos will look to their attacking options, including captain Chidi Harmony, Oluebube Umejiaku, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Kanyinsola Yusuf and Mary Dunstan, to provide the goals needed to overcome Venezuela.

At the other end, goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho is expected to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s quarter-final challenge.

The 1.92m-tall shot-stopper has been an important presence in the Flamingos’ defence, with her performances helping the team navigate the competition.

Speaking about the team’s ambition, Ijirigho expressed confidence in their ability to progress further, insisting that the players are determined to remain in the competition until the final.

Nigeria vs Venezuela: Tournament head-to-head

Sunday’s encounter will be the first meeting between Nigeria and Venezuela at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The Flamingos have scored eight goals and conceded four in their four matches so far, while Venezuela have netted four and conceded six across their group-stage and Round of 16 fixtures.

Venezuela have taken an unpredictable route to the quarter-finals, losing two of their three group-stage matches against France and Japan before advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, they produced one of the biggest surprises of the Round of 16 by defeating tournament favourites Germany to book their place in the last eight.

For Nigeria, victory would secure a return to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2022 edition, when they went on to claim the bronze medal.

The winner of Sunday’s quarter-final will face either China PR or Brazil in the semi-finals.

The post FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup:Flamingos face Venezuela test for semi-final spot appeared first on Made In Africa Sport.