Nigeria’s Flamingos showed class when they defeated Germany to clinch a consolatory bronze medal at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.
At full time, the match ended 3-3 in regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout. The penalty then ended 3-2 in Nigeria’s favour as the team took revenge for their loss against the Europeans in their opening fixture.
According to Channels Television, Nigeria began the match in good stead and were rewarded when forward Opeyemi Ajakaye broke her goal drought with her brilliant 20th-minute opener for the Flamingos.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has promised a cash reward of N3 million to the Flamingos after they clinched the bronze medal at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria defeated Germany 3-2 via penalties after normal time ended 3-3 in the Indian city of Mumbai on Sunday.
“Three million waiting for Flamingos in Abuja,” the former Leicester City man wrote in a reply to Super Falcons’ tweet celebrating Nigeria’s historic feat. “Congratulations.”
Sunday’s victory for Nigeria made them the second African side to have achieved the feat. Ghana clinched the bronze medal at the 2012 edition of the tournament.
Nigeria, placed in Group B of the competition, finished as runners-up after a loss to Germany and victories over New Zealand and Chile. In the quarter-finals, the Flamingos beat the US to reach their first-ever semi-final.
They, however, slumped to defeat against Columbia to set up the third-place match with Germany.
Nigeria went 3-0 up but the Europeans raced back to the game, scoring thrice in seventeen minutes to peg the Flamingos back. For the third time in the tournament, Coach Bankole Olowookere’s team took to the spot kick.
The win over the Americans came after regulation time ended 1-1 while the loss to Colombia came in a 5-6 defeat on penalties. Nigeria’s last penalty shootout in the cadet championship, however, ended in a 3-2 sweet revenge for the West Africans who lost to Germany in their opening game. Forward Opeyemi Akajaye deservedly won the Player of the Match gong for her stellar showing on Sunday, making it the third time she scooped the prize since the competition started earlier in the month.
The team is expected back in the country later in the week.