2026 U-17 WWC: We Gave Everything On The Pitch –Flamingos Coach Reflects On Victory Against Venezuela

Nigeria’s Flamingos head coach Akeem Busari has expressed his delight following the team’s hard-fought 1–0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Giant-killing Venezuela entered the clash at the Mohammed VI Football Complex full of confidence after pulling off a shock elimination of Germany in the Round of 16. However, Busari’s side kept the South Americans at arm’s length, restricting them primarily to counter-attacks that yielded just four clear chances, all comfortably dealt with by Nigerian goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho.

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The breakthrough came late in the second half through impressive striker Olubebe Umejiaku, who was brought down inside the penalty area after a swift attacking sequence. Referee Hyeonjeong Oh immediately pointed to the spot, a decision that stood following a VAR review. Captain Aishat Oduntan stepped up and sent the Venezuelan goalkeeper the wrong way to seal Nigeria’s return to the semi-final stage for the first time since 2022.

Speaking to FIFA.com after the final whistle, Busari praised his players’ relentless determination and fighting spirit throughout the demanding encounter.

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“We gave everything on the pitch tonight. We wanted to keep the ball and play our game, but we made some mistakes. Still, we kept pushing until the very end. Reaching the semi-finals is a dream come true for me and a great achievement,” Busari stated.

“Looking ahead to their upcoming semi-final clash, the tactician emphasized his goal to make the nation proud: “I’m looking forward to it because I want to make my country proud. We want to give our best in the next match and show everyone what we can do.”

Austin Akhilomen is a passionate sports content writer with a strong interest in football. He is a fan of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea, and he enjoys following the teams, players, and competitions that make the sport exciting. Austin writes sports news, match reports, and football content to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the sporting world. His passion for sports also drives his aim to promote the game and connect football fans across the globe. Through his work with Complete Sports, Austin shares engaging sports content with readers and brings his love for football into every story he writes.