On Sports
Nigeria’s U17 girls have won their first-ever FIFA World Cup bronze medals on Sunday after a 3-2 penalty shootout win over Germany following a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mumbai.
Both teams started the competition playing against each other, with the Germans coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 in Goa.
The Europeans, who lost by a 90th minute goal to Cup holders Spain in Wednesday’s second semi-final, started the brighter side and had the ball in the net through Marie Steiner in the 5th minute off a cross from Laura Gloning. But the Video Assistant Referee ruled if offside.
Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute through power forward Opeyemi Ajakay
Coach Bankole Olowookere in a jubilant mood, thanked God they did not leave India empty-handed as it has been a great tournament with a lot of lessons learnt.
President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who has been with the team in India since the quarter-final stage, was delighted with the triumph. He said it is a victory for the government and good people of Nigeria. He said that the girls and their technical and administrative crew did very well to win something from this tournament and give Nigeria joy. He equally commended their determination and commitment to a noble goal.
Meanwhile, the victorious Flamingos will fly back into Nigeria at noon on Tuesday.
