2022 U-17 WWC: Gusau arrive India to boost support for Flamingos in semi tie against Colombia, team in high spirit

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau arrived in India on Tuesday to be at the forefront of the support group when the country’s U17 girls, Flamingos tackle Colombia in the semi-finals of FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Goa on Wednesday.

The NFF boss, who has spoken with the players and officials severally during their earlier games in the tournament, will physically witness the semi-final showdown at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

It is the first semi-final, starting at 4 pm (12noon Nigeria time) with the second semi-final between Germany and Spain to kick off three-and-half hours later.

Victory over Colombia – who defeated the only other African team to make the knockout stage, Tanzania 3-0 in the last eight – will shoot the Flamingos into Sunday’s final.

Meanwhile, the team spirit is high smarting from their defeat of tournament favourites USA 4-3 on penalties after full-time ended 1-1 with Usani converting one of the Flamingos’ spot kicks, but not without some drama.

Flamingos defender Miracle Usani, while recalling her experience during the quarter-final shootout against the USA at the ongoing U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, says the Nigerian team can overcome any side at the tournament, after their victory against the Americans on Friday.

Usani fell on the pitch in tears after she saw her penalty saved by Valentina Amaral, but she got a second chance after VAR adjudged Amaral to have stepped off her line before making the save, which meant Usani had a second chance to retake the penalty.

Much to her relief and that of millions of Nigerians back home, Usani converted from the spot as Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since its inception in 2008.

“The game led me up to that moment. It ended up going to penalties and I needed to step up and take responsibility,” Usani told FIFA.com.

It was just about winning the game. That’s exactly what we had to do, and that was the key to our victory.

“I was so relieved after the game. I feel much better now, I’m so happy that I was given a second chance. I really wanted to score the second, so I’m happy.”

The defender, a dead-ball specialist, added that Flamingos could defeat any team after eliminating the Americans.

“I believe we can get to the final,” she said. “If we can beat the USA, I don’t see any obstacle standing in our way.”