The Nigeria U17 Women, Flamingos, lost 6-5 on penalties against Colombia at the women FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India after a goalless draw in regular time.
It was a spirited display from the Flamingos as they started the game strongly and dominated the opening minutes of the first half.
However, the warning bells were ringing when Colombia looked like scoring anytime they launched a counter attack.
The defensive pairing of Tumininu Adeshina and Shakirat Oyinlola looked frail and struggled to deal with everything thrown at them.
Subsequently, Colombia grew in confidence and started applying pressure, they found plenty of joy down the right flank as Comfort Folorunsho struggled to deal with the pace and trickery of Gabriela Rodriguez and the marauding run of full back Ana Guzman.
Olowookere’s girls held on and reverted to the use of counters, the Flamingos also had Faith Omilana to thank as the shot stopper pulled series of inspired saves to keep Nigeria in the game.
Colombia were also guilty of missing clear cut chances but Nigeria defended as a unit and forced the game into penalty shootout.
Before the end of the game Coach Olowookere made some changes as he anticipated penalties.
The Coach brought on the hero against USA, Chikamso Jiwuaku for Faith Omilana and the former duly delivered in the shootout, saving Yesica Munoz’s kick.
Nigeria had the advantage heading to the last kick and Omamuso Edafe would have banked herself to get the winner as she did against USA, but saw her shot crash off the bar to move the shootout to sudden death.
Otegon and Hernandez converted for Colombia either way of Oyinlola’s penalty.
Comfort Folorunsho couldn’t convert her spot kick as Luisa Agudalo saved to send Colombia through to the finals.
