By Joe Apu
History-making Flamingos of Nigeria will continue their fairy tale run at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India when they face Colombia in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The Flamingos, who beat the United States 4-3 on penalties on Friday after a 1-1 draw, have reached the last four at the U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Omamuzo Edafe scored the deciding spot kick to end a tense shoot-out in Navi Mumbai.
USA, who finished runners-up at the maiden tournament in 2008, and Nigeria both failed to find a winner in the second half which took the game to penalties.
A dramatic shoot-out saw Emri shoot wide in the second round of penalties to hand Nigeria an early advantage.
Miracle Usani saw her effort saved in the following round but was allowed a retake because USA keeper Valentina Amaral had strayed off her line and was able to net at the second attempt.
Comfort Folorunsho sent her effort over the bar in the fourth round of penalties to give the USA hope but Nigeria’s keeper Linda Jiwuaku, who had come on as an injury-time substitute, then saved from Riley Jackson.
That allowed Edafe to calmly slot home to send the Flamingos into their maiden semi-final.
The other African representative Tanzania bowed out of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India as the Africans had two players sent off in a 3-0 quarter-final defeat by Colombia.