Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s football team, the Flamingos, are set for the first-ever meeting against USA at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, India.
No Nigerian team in past editions of this tournament has made it to the semi-final. However, the Flamingos will be seeking to break the jinx with star players Miracle Usani, Amina Bello, Taiwo Afolabi and Edidiong Etim all set to feature. The match is scheduled to kick off at 12 noon (Nigerian Time).
Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere and his girls believe they can end the country’s 14-year wait for a last-four berth on their fourth quarterfinal appearance.
🗣️Our Flamingos’ coach Bankole Olowookere previews Nigeria’s quarterfinal clash with USA 🇺🇸#SoarFlamingos|| #WeCountOnYou| #Team9jaStrong| #USANGA pic.twitter.com/BuQrabrraL
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 20, 2022
The Flamingos lost 2-1 to Germany in their first match of the competition, but have since overcome stage-fright and were worthy 4-0 and 2-1 winners against New Zealand and Chile, respectively.
Many are keen to see how they will fare against the free-scoring Americans, who have won two and drew one of their group-stage fixtures.
The Americans will also be seeking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2008, when they finished as runners-up at the inaugural edition in New Zealand.
The USA has a well-balanced side with the ability to build attacks from the back. With overlapping fullbacks like Gisele Thompson and Savannah King, the Americans will try to threaten the Nigerian back line with their extensive wing play.
Onyeka Gamero and Taylor Suarez on the flanks have been excellent for the USA in the tournament so far and could threaten the Flamingos defence if allowed to operate freely.
Despite going into Friday’s tie as the underdogs, the USA will be making a mistake to take the Flamingos for granted.
Having failed to reach the semi-finals in six previous editions, the Nigerians set out to achieve the impossible, ending the country’s 14-year wait for a last-four berth on their fourth quarterfinal appearance.
M A T C H D A Y! 🔥
Today, our Flamingos are set to break the quarterfinal jinx in the tournament against the Americans
🏟️ DY Patil Stadium
⚽ USA 🇺🇸🆚 Nigeria 🇳🇬
⏲️ 12pm (NGA)
📲 #USANGALet’s do it again! #SoarFlamingos|| #WeCountOnYou| #Team9jaStrong| #KickOffTheDream pic.twitter.com/gvHFuGDtZT
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) October 21, 2022
