Nigeria’s Flamingos have booked a historic place in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final after a 3-1 win over Brazil in Morocco, with Awawu Bashiru scoring twice, and Japan stand between them and the trophy on Saturday.
The semi-final was played on Wednesday 4 November at the Mohammed VI Football Complex. Queen Joseph put Nigeria ahead in the 56th minute, and Bashiru added goals in the 71st and 80th. Brazil’s Greise Kelly pulled one back in the 89th.
FIFA’s official account greeted the result with the message “Nigeria are #U17WWC finalists!”, and President Bola Tinubu and CAF president Patrice Motsepe were among those who congratulated the team.
Three goals in 24 minutes after a tight first hour
All three Nigerian goals came between the 56th and 80th minutes, so the match was goalless for an hour before the Flamingos pulled clear. Soccernet previewed the Venezuela quarter-final and the Korea DPR group game earlier in the tournament.
Analysis: What Japan ask of Nigeria on Saturday
Brazil’s late goal on 89 minutes is a small warning: the Flamingos have had to defend the last minutes of their biggest games. If they again need an hour to find their rhythm in the final, Japan could be the side that punishes that, so a faster start is the clearest way to make the match easier.
The final is on Saturday 7 November. Win it, and a young Nigerian side that has already made history would add a world title to the achievement.
