Nigeria’s Flamingos assistant captain, Azeezat Oduntan, says the team are eagerly anticipating their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final clash against Venezuela as they seek a place in the semi-finals of the competition in Morocco.

Oduntan expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome the South Americans after Nigeria secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexico in Thursday’s Round of 16 encounter in Rabat.

The defender described the victory as an exciting moment for the squad, admitting that the contest was difficult but praising her teammates for refusing to give up until they secured the goals that sealed qualification.

“I feel super excited. Although the game was tough, we kept trying our best to make sure we got the goals. We give thanks to God,” Oduntan said.

Nigeria took the lead through Oluebube Umejiaku in the 40th minute before Mary Dunstan doubled the advantage in the 71st minute. Mexico’s Emily Delgado scored a late consolation in the 90th minute plus 10, but the Flamingos held on to book their place in the last eight.

Reflecting on the tense closing stages, Oduntan admitted that she initially feared Mexico could find an equaliser after pulling a goal back. However, she said the Nigerian players remained determined and continued fighting until the final whistle.

“After conceding the goal, I was scared at first that they might equalise, but we just kept trying our best, and God crowned our efforts,” she added.

The Flamingos will now face Venezuela, who eliminated Germany to secure their quarter-final ticket, with a semi-final place at stake.

Oduntan said Nigeria would approach the encounter with the same determination and commitment that have carried them through the knockout stage, stressing that the players are focused on delivering another positive result.

“Playing Venezuela, we will keep trying and putting in our best so as to beat them and get to the semi-final,” she said.

The assistant captain also expressed the squad’s excitement ahead of the showdown, saying the players are looking forward to the opportunity to take another step towards the tournament’s latter stages.

“Just excitement. We can’t just wait to play the next game,” she stated.

With the support of Nigerian fans remaining important to the team’s campaign, Oduntan urged supporters at home and across the world to continue believing in the young players and backing them with prayers.

“I will say they should keep praying for us, believing in us and supporting us with their prayers. God bless them. We love them so much,” she said.

Nigeria are chasing a return to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time since finishing third at the 2022 edition in India. A victory over Venezuela would take the Flamingos another step closer to matching that historic achievement.