Nigeria’s U-17 girls, Flamingos, have already pulled up a few trees at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals in India, but they feel even more motivated to reach the championship match at the expense of Colombia in the first semi-final today.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, yesterday, arrived in the Indian city of Goa, where he will lead the cheers as Africa’s best team seeks to extend their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup record by reaching Sunday’s final.

Already, the Flamingos have become the first African team to reach the semifinals of the competition, after ejecting the United States in sensational fashion on Friday.

Recall that Nigeria is also the only African country to have played in the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The first time was in Germany in 2010, when the Falconets lost 0-2 to Germany, after an early goal by a player of the tournament, Alexander Popp and an unfortunate own goal by a defender, Osinachi Ohale, in Bielefeld.

The second time was in Canada in 2014, when the Germans again prevailed by the odd goal after extra time in Montreal.

Today, history-making Coach Bankole Olowookere will again bank on goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Miracle Usani, Tumininu Adeshina, Comfort Folorunsho and Blessing Emmanuel, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi, Alvine Dah-Zossu and Blessing Sunday, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Edidiong Etim and Aminat Omowunmi Bello.

The Flamingos’s fire-power is not in doubt, having scored a total of eight goals in open play, conceding four. They have put a total of 36 shots on target, making them the side that has created the most opportunities of the four teams left in the competition.

Today’s encounter starts at 12.00 noon Nigeria time. (The Guardian)

PHOTO CAPTION:•The Flamingos had their final training session ahead of the semifinal clash with Colombia… yesterday.

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