Julius OkorieNigeria’s Women U-17 team, the Flamingos, have returned to the country after ending their impressive run at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup at the quarterfinal stage.
The Bankole Olowokere tutored side, who posted an excellent run in the group stage finishing with nine points, hit the quarterfinals where they faced United States in a repeat of the 2022 edition in India.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAt the showdown in India, it was the Flamingos that carried the day, defeating their American counterparts on penalties after the encounter ended 1-1 and regulation and extra time.’
READ ALSO :FIFA U-17 Women W/Cup Q/Final: Flamingos Eye 2022 Feat Against USA
However the reverse became the case in the Dominican Republic as the Americans still leaking their wounds over the defeat in India found an opportunity to take their pound of flesh, progressing to the semifinal with a 2-0 defeat of Flamingos.
Kennedy Fuller had converted a penalty in the 43rd minute of the match before Kimmi Ascanio delivered the winning goal in 74th minute. Flamingos fight back failed to yield any fruits
Meanwhile the championship continues today with USA taking on North korea in one of the semifinal ties while defending champions Spain will be hoping to make it back to back harvest as they face England in the second semifinal on Friday.
Spain were ruthless in their quarterfinal encounter against Ecuador with a 5-0 demolition of their opponents.
England survived a nail biting encounter against Japan to book a place in the semifinal. The game had ended 2-2 at the end of regulation and extra time leading to penalties which England won 4-1. The Championship ends on Sunday.
Recall that the Flamingos finished in the a third place at the 2022 edition in India, their best outing in the tournament so far.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
