Nigeria’s Flamingos have won their first ever FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup medal after defeating Germany on penalties in a dramatic third place match on Sunday afternoon.
This is Nigeria’s farthest reach in the tournament, while Germany were the bronze medalist winners in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Germany had already defeated Nigeria in the competition, following a 2-1 win over Flamingos in the group stage but the Nigerian girls got their sweet revenge in the most spectacular fashion.
Nigeria went 3-0 in the first 63 minutes of the game thanks to Opeyemi Ajakaye’s first half goal, which was her first in the competition before Amina Bello and Edidiong Etim increased the tally in the second.
With the hope of bronze medals on the necks, the Germans turned the situation around, scoring three times in seventeen minutes to level the scoreline and send the encounter into penalty shootouts.
Nigeria goalkeeper Faith Omilana was the star of the shootouts as Nigeria won 3-2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal of India FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Colombia, who blocked Nigeria from progressing to the final, will lock horns with defending champions Spain in the final later today.
