Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has commended his players for their resilience and determination after Nigeria edged Venezuela 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Nigerian side booked their place in the last four following a fiercely contested quarter-final clash against Dayana Frías’ team in Rabat on Sunday night.
Azeezat Oduntan proved decisive, converting a late penalty to secure victory and send Nigeria into the semi-finals for only the second time in the tournament’s history.
Despite controlling periods of the match, the Flamingos faced stiff resistance from Venezuela and were twice denied by the woodwork.
Reacting to the performance, Busari praised his team’s commitment while acknowledging some shortcomings in their display.
“We gave everything on the pitch tonight. We wanted to keep the ball and play our game, but we made some mistakes,” Busari told FIFA.
Nigeria will now face Brazil in Rabat on Wednesday night, with a place in the final at stake.
