The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos after booking a place in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Flamingos defeated Venezuela 1-0 in Sunday’s quarter-final at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco, thanks to an 89th-minute penalty from captain *Azeezat Oduntan*.
The spot-kick was won by top scorer Oluebube Umejiaku after she was fouled inside the box, with the decision upheld after a VAR review.
Oduntan kept her cool to send Nigeria into the last four for the second time in history, after their bronze medal feat in 2022.
Reacting to the victory, CAF Women’s Football wrote on its official X handle:”The Flamingos are flying into the semis! 🦩🇳🇬 Nigeria edge Venezuela to reach the #U17WWC semi-finals! #AfricanFootball.”
The win makes Nigeria the last African team standing after Ghana lost 1-0 to Japan in the other quarter-final.
Nigeria will now face Brazil on Wednesday, November 4, at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat for a place in the final. Brazil came from behind to beat China 2-1.
The Flamingos have now won four straight games after losing their opener 2-1 to Poland – beating Puerto Rico 2-0, defending champions North Korea 3-1, Mexico 2-1, and Venezuela 1-0.
By James Agberebi
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