Flamingos Rise From Opening Defeat To World Cup Contenders As Venezuela Await

Nigeria’s Flamingos meet Venezuela in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, after bouncing back from an early setback. Eight days ago, they were beaten 2-1 by Poland in their Group B opener, a loss that sparked doubts and followed a squad assembled under a coach appointed only in April. On Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco, Nigeria qualified with a gritty 2-1 win over Mexico, with Oluebube Umejiaku scoring her tournament’s third goal and Mary Dunstan adding a superb second-half volley. Umejiaku has three goals in four matches, including in a statement win over North Korea. Akeem Busari’s response also included a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico after the Poland defeat.