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Nigeria play Germany in third-place match after Colombia defeat
Nigerians took to social media to express their feelings after Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team Flamingos on Wednesday lost 6-5 on penalties to Colombia, after full-time ended goalless, in the semi-finals of the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Goa, India.
Comfort Folorunsho lost her sudden death penalty to hand Colombia the winner in a match the Flamingos could hardly string three passes together.
The Flamingos had beaten favourites USA in the quarter-finals and were the favourites for the clash, but they were a shadow of themselves in this last four match-up against the South Americans, as they sat back for most of the game, preferring to defend deeply for much of the 90 minutes.
It’s the farthest Nigeria have gone at the cadet championship since the tournament’s inception in 2008.
After both teams had battled to a grim scoreless draw and Flamingos coach, Bankole Olowookere, seeing the prospect of penalty kicks introduced second-choice goalkeeper, Chilamso Jiwuaku, who replaced Faith Omilana in the 90th minute.
Nigeria was a kick away from victory after Yesica Munoz saw her kick saved by Jiwuaku, whilst Gabriela Rodriguez, Stefania Perlaza, Espitaleta and Caicedo all scored for Colombia but defender Omamuzo Edafe, who had scored Nigeria’s winner against USA in the quarter-finals, struck her kick against the upright to take the shootout into sudden death.
This was after Immaculata Offiong, Etim Edidiong, Miracle Usani and Taiwo Afolabi had scored for Nigeria.
Colombian Juana Ortegon scored, just as Shakirat Oyinlola, but after Nathalia Hernandez beat Jiwuaku, Comfort Folorunsho hit her kick against Luisa Agudelo.
The South Americans will now battle champions Spain, who beat Germany 1-0 in the other semi-final tie, in the final on Sunday, while the Flamingos play the Germans in the third-place play-off.
The defeat sparked reactions among football-crazy fans back home.
A Twitter user, Aashin @aashin23, praised Flamingos for their efforts while also noting it was a deserved victory for the South American side.
“Hard one to take for Nigeria but thoroughly deserved entry to the final for Colombia.”
ADEY @OmoAloba11 faulted the coach’s decision to allow a defender to play the final penalty and the Flamingos were lucky not to have conceded in full-time.
“Just one thing kill the coach, if you watch the game you will see our girls were lucky enough to keep a clean sheet in 90minns. But the coach failed to stop that number 2 from the final penalty because she lost her confidence in the 1st minute of the game. Better luck next time.”
#BSAFCON2022 @ZikoraIkpeazu also added that the Nigerian team were not tactical but played kick-and-follow football.
“We didn’t deserve to win, the coach had no game plan, reminds me of what I watched plateau United do at home for the @CAFCLCC Champions League game, it was all kick and follow. I refuse to believe these are the best girls of under 17 of Nigerian descent.”
Avoseh Temidayo @TemidayoAvoseh, a graphic artist, praised the girls for putting up a good fight in the semi-final.
“You tried your best girl, you’ve paved the way already, but our players aren’t psychologically ready for the penalty. It’s easily written all over their faces.
“It’s normal this is their first international outing. I was expecting the coach to gear them up, shout, clap, look them in the eye and scream “girl go seal it”. That’s the spirit.”
