Flamingos Face Venezuela Test As U17 World Cup Semi-Final Ticket Beckons
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria will continue their quest for a historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title when they take on Venezuela in a crucial quarter-final encounter in Morocco on Sunday.
The Akeem Busari tutored side will confront the South Americans at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Pitch 4, in Salé, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
The encounter, scheduled for 7pm Nigeria time, presents the Flamingos with an opportunity to reach the last four for the second time in the competition’s history after finishing third at the 2022 edition in India.
Nigeria goes into the contest with a renewed vigor following a 2-1 win against Mexico, while facing an awaken Venezuela who knocked out European champions, Germany in the round of 16.
Flamingos, the ever-present tournament veterans. Their best outing was a third-place bronze place finish in 2022, and they have consistently reached the quarter-finals across multiple editions (2010, 2012, 2014, 2024, and now 2026).
Making their return after a ten-year tournament absence, Venezuela have achieved back-to-back fourth place finish during their golden era in 2014 and 2016.
Nigeria will be led by goalkeeper, Jane Ijirigho and will be expected to maintain her impressive performances, particularly against a Venezuelan team that has demonstrated its ability to punish defensive mistakes.
While Flamingos have gradually established themselves as one of the tournament’s dangerous attacking sides, Venezuela will arrive with considerable confidence after eliminating reigning European champions Germany in the Round of 16.
