According to a report by Daily Post on Monday November 2, 2026, Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has praised his players for their determination and fighting spirit following Nigeria's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The Nigerian side booked their place in the semi-finals after overcoming a stubborn Venezuelan team in a tense encounter in Rabat on Sunday night.

Captain Azeezat Oduntan emerged as the match-winner, converting a late penalty to secure the victory and send the Flamingos into the last four.

The result marked only the second time Nigeria have reached the semi-final stage of the competition, underlining the significance of the achievement for the team.

Despite enjoying periods of dominance, the Flamingos faced a difficult challenge from Venezuela, who remained competitive throughout the encounter and made it difficult for Nigeria to find a breakthrough.

Nigeria also came close to scoring on two occasions but were denied by the woodwork, as the match remained goalless for much of the contest.

However, Busari's players continued to push for a decisive goal and were eventually rewarded when Oduntan converted the late penalty.

Speaking to FIFA after the match, the Flamingos coach expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by his players, while admitting that they made some mistakes during the encounter.

"We gave everything on the pitch tonight. We wanted to keep the ball and play our game, but we made some mistakes," Busari said.

The coach's comments highlighted the determination required to overcome Venezuela, particularly in a quarter-final where the pressure was high and a place in the semi-finals was at stake.

Nigeria will now turn their attention to Wednesday night's semi-final against Brazil, which will also take place in Rabat.

The Flamingos will be aiming to maintain their momentum and secure a place in the final as they continue their quest for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title.