Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, have advanced to the final of the female football event at the 22nd National Sports Festival after edging Team Ogun 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flamingos, bronze medallists at the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, left it late to secure victory.
Shakirat Moshood held her nerve from the penalty spot, calmly converting from six yards after her side was awarded a spot-kick in the dying minutes of the match.
Nigeria Flamingos (IJA) 1 VS 0 Ogun State – Goal & Highlight – Semifinal – National Sports Festival (Gateway Games).
⚽️ Shakirat Moshood pic.twitter.com/kHBJUPieRS
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) May 26, 2025
They will now face Team Delta in Tuesday’s final at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta. Delta cruised past Team Osun 4-1 in the other semi-final, setting up an intriguing showdown with the Flamingos.
Nigeria Flamingos Head Coach, Bankole Olowookere @OlowookereBank2 , speaks after the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) defeated hosts Ogun State to reach the final of the National Sports Festival women’s football event. pic.twitter.com/rErh0t1Yh9
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) May 26, 2025
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WATCH: Flamingos soar into final as Golden Eaglets fall to Ogun in National Sports Festival shocker
Meanwhile, it was disappointment for the Golden Eaglets in the male category.
The U17 boys suffered a 2-1 defeat to Team Ogun in the second semi-final at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo. They will now battle for the bronze medal.
Earlier, Team Kwara had booked their place in the male football final with a narrow 1-0 win over Team Kaduna in the day’s opening semi-final.
Both bronze medal matches will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium, while the finals of the male and female football events are scheduled for Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.
The participation of the Flamingos and Golden Eaglets is part of the National Sports Commission’s commendable Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, aimed at providing young talents with top-level competitive experience.