The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their qualification for the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The Nigerian side secured their place in the last four after defeating Venezuela 1-0 in a keenly contested quarter-final encounter on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Captain Azeezat Oduntan scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Nigeria’s leading scorer, Oluebube Umejiaku, was fouled inside the penalty area.
The referee awarded the penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, allowing Oduntan to convert and send the Flamingos into the semi-finals.
Reacting to the victory, CAF Women’s Football celebrated the Nigerian team in a post on its official X account, writing: “The Flamingos are flying into the semis! Nigeria edge Venezuela to reach the #U17WWC semi-finals!”
The achievement marks the second time Nigeria has reached the semi-finals of the competition, having previously achieved the feat in 2022, when the team went on to win the bronze medal.
The Flamingos are also the only African team remaining in the tournament following Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Japan in the other quarter-final fixture.
Nigeria will now face Brazil in the semi-finals on Wednesday, November 4, as they continue their quest for a place in the final and their first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
