U-17 Women World Cup: Nigeria Lose 5-6 On Penalties To Colombia
Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national team, Flamingoes’ impressive march in the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India came to an end on Wednesday as the team lost 5-6 on penalties to Colombia in their semi-final encounter.
Starting the game on a bright, the Nigerian girls were presented with a couple of great opportunities to opening scoring but all went to waste due to poor marksmanship in front of goal.
Unable to manage their wasted chances, the Flamingoes soon conceded dominance as the Colombian girls took over control of the game and could have gone two goals up in the first half but for the brilliance of goalkeeper Faith Omilana who kept the South Americans at bay.
On resumption of proceedings in the second half, it was the Colombians who came out smoking and only the vigilance of Keeper Omilana ensured the Flamingoes were not outsmarted by their opponents in regulation time.
Opeyemi Ajakaye, who came on as a second half substitute for Nigeria, also had a glorious opportunity to put the Flamingoes ahead but the South American goaltender did well to save the day.
With proceedings ending goalless at full time, the ensuing penalties saw Colombia losing their second kick while Edafe Omamuzo, who scored Nigeria’s winning kick against USA, hit the woodwork in what could have decided the encounter.
Taking advantage of that respite, the Colombian girls easily rallied back to score all their penalty kicks with Comfort Folorunsho’s kick saved by the impressive Colombian goalkeeper to send the South American nation to the final 6-5 on penalties.
