There is nothing spectacular about the Brazilian U17 Women’s team going to meet the Flamingoes of Nigeria in the 2nd Semifinal of the ongoing tournament in Morocco except the fear of the name BRAZIL in world football.
The Brazilian girls have never won the title like Nigeria. Nigeria won the Bronze in 2022 and made quarterfinals four times in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2024 which is greater than the achievement of Brazil that placed 4th in 2025 and made the quarterfinals thrice in 2010, 2012 and 2022 within 7 appearances like Nigeria.
Twice have they met before on 8th November 2008 when they drew 2-2 in group D and on 1st October 2016 when Brazil pipped Nigeria by a lone goal in group C. On both competitions both teams did not go beyond the group stages. Check.
To get to the semifinals Brazil scored 17 goals, Conceded 6 and had one clean slate. Brazil whipped Canada 6-2, drew 3-3 with Ghana, slammed Norway 3-0, played the longest penalty shootouts in the tournament winning 8-7 against Poland after 3-3 at full and edged China 2-1 at the quarterfinal.
Nigeria is the only team that lost her first match and with typical resilient characters of Nigerian sports teams is still standing. Nigeria lost to Poland 1-2, beat Puerto Rico 2-0, shocked Defending champions North Korea 3-1, beat Mexico 2-1 and stopped Venezuela in stoppage time by a lone goal in the quarterfinals. Nigeria scored 9 goals conceded 4 and had two clean slates.
Thus is the current form of both teams. Yes Brazil loves tiki-taka flow of football and scoring goals as they still showed with 17 goals against Nigeria’s 9 but the good defence and better Goalkeeper of Nigeria will neutralised that. Nigeria conceded 4 goals and Brazil conceded 6. Nigeria has 2 clean slates against strong teams.
There is great fear in the Brazilian camp on three fronts. One, this Nigerian team has beaten the four times and current defending champions, North Korea hands down 3-1 which is significant victory.
Secondly, Nigeria and Ghana play same pattern of football and Ghana drew 3-3 with them in their 2nd group game. How will they cope with rugged, physical style of African Football in the Flamingoes on Wednesday? That Ghanaian touch still haunts Brazil because Nigeria and Ghana has left their Jollof war to partner at the U17 Women’s football tournament, the Ghana coach will give the Nigerian Coach tips to upset them. Ghanaians and Africans will be at the stands for Nigeria. Ghana got Bronze in 2012 and Nigeria won Bronze ten years later.
Thirdly Coach Hakeem Busari of Nigeria is unpredictable in the way he shuffles his players they with for long passes and kill their opponents. The strength of the Nigerian Defence and skill of the lanky Nigerian Goalkeeper who is regarded as a prototype of the legendary Emmanuel Oguejiofor Okala tall and quick to the ball with good grips and goal post to goal post throws for a young girl is worrisome.
Two players will be on focus on Wednesday having scored 3 goals each. Oluebube Umejiaku of Nigeria and Greise Kelly but their is Helena who scored 4 goals.
Will Brazil stop Nigeria’s historic first appearance at the world U17 women’s football final on Wednesday? The world awaits African presence in the finals.
Eniola Olatunji
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