U17 Women’s World Cup: Nigeria Stopped At Semis By Colombia

Nigeria had reached the last four of the U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time but could not provide Africa its first finalists at the tournament in India.

The African side was beaten by Colombia on penalties in the semi-finals of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup to extend Africa’s wait for a first appearance in the final. Colombia goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo saved from Comfort Folorunsho to seal a 6-5 shootout win after 90 minutes without a goal in Margao, Goa.

Omamuzo Edafe, who clinched the penalty shootout victory over the United States in the quarter-finals, had a chance to win it for Nigeria after Colombian striker Yesica Munoz had her effort saved. However, Edafe hit the right post with the West Africans’ fifth attempt. Colombia scored twice in sudden death before a reluctant Folorunso was denied by Agudelo, and the South Americans will face Germany or Spain in the final on Sunday

The Nigerian Flamingos started well but failed to create clear chances, and Colombia nearly opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when Mary Espitaleta swung a powerful long-range free kick over the bar.

Opeyemi Ajakaye fended off Nigeria’s best chance in the second half, sending her shot from close range straight at Agudelo in the 53rd minute, and Colombia then took control of the game. Captain Linda Caicedo pricked Faith Omilana’s palms twice while Natalia Hernandez, Ana Guzman, Gabriela Rodriguez and Munoz all had their efforts saved by the Nigerian keeper.

Omilana was called into action again towards the end to fend off Caicedo’s shot before being replaced in goal by Chikamso Jiwuaku, who had replaced USA in injury time for the shootout. Competing in their sixth FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup, Nigeria will contest the third-place play-off on Sunday in a bid to equal the continent’s best finish in the competition.

The Flamingos have reached the quarter-finals on three occasions, but the best performance by an African team at the tournament came when Ghana finished third in 2012 in Azerbaijan. Debutants Morocco and Tanzania were Africa’s other representatives in India, the latter – the first East African nation to reach the final – beaten in the quarter-finals by Colombia.