Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have booked a place in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after securing a 1–0 victory over Venezuela in their quarter-final encounter on Sunday.

A late penalty from captain Azeezat Oduntan proved decisive, sending the Nigerian side into the last four of the competition.

The encounter, played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, saw Nigeria face a determined Venezuelan side that had earlier stunned Germany in the round of 16.

Venezuela threatened mainly through counter-attacks, creating four opportunities that were expertly dealt with by Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.

The Flamingos continued to search for a breakthrough, with their pressure eventually paying off in the closing minutes when striker Olubebe Umejiaku was brought down inside the penalty area.

South Korean referee Hyeonjeong Oh awarded a spot-kick, and the decision stood after a VAR review. Oduntan stepped up and calmly sent the Venezuelan goalkeeper the wrong way to secure Nigeria’s victory.

The result marks Nigeria’s return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2022 and extends the team’s winning run in the tournament to four consecutive matches.

The Flamingos will now face Brazil in the semi-finals on Wednesday, November 4, after the South Americans defeated China PR to progress.

Nigeria will be seeking a place in the final as they continue their campaign for the country’s first U-17 Women’s World Cup title.