Flamingos coach: 'We're no pushovers' as Venezuela wait in the quarter-finals
Nigeria are one win from a first U-17 Women's World Cup semi-final since their bronze in 2022.
Salé — Nigeria's Flamingos will play Venezuela in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, after beating Mexico 2-1 on Thursday. Venezuela reached the last eight by knocking out Germany.
Coach Akeem Busari said knockout football at youth level brings tension and tactics in equal measure. "Today was a tough game, but we're no pushovers," he said. "Every team in the competition is a contender."
Ijirigho the difference
Goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho, at 1.92m the tallest player at the tournament, denied Mexico captain Citlalli Reyes early on and later tipped a long-range shot from Kemberly Garcia onto the bar. "She has been fantastic in every tournament," Busari said.
Oluebube Umejiaku, named woman of the match, scored the opener after a long ball from Esther Stephen. Mary Dunstan added the second, and Emily Delgado pulled one back late for Mexico.
A win over Venezuela would put Nigeria in the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, when they finished third.
Source: Premium Times, 30 October 2026.
