Super Eagles of Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa has promised a 3 million Naira cash reward to the Flamingos after defeating Germany to clinch the bronze medal at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria‘s Flamingos were placed in Group B of the World Cup tournament and finished as runners-up after a loss to Germany and victories over New Zealand and Chile in the group stage. In the quarter-finals, the Flamingos beat the USA to reach their first-ever semi-final.
They, however, fail to defeat eventual Silver medal winners Columbia to set up the third-place match with Germany.
The under-17 Nigerian women’s team defeated Germany 3-2 via penalties after normal time ended in a 3-3 draw in the Indian city of Mumbai on Sunday, October 30.
Germany, who lost by a die minute goal to the World Cup winners Spain in Wednesday’s second semi-final, started expertly and had the ball in Flamingos’ net via Marie Steiner’s brilliant shot in the 5th minute, but the Video Assistant Referee ruled it as offside.
Afterward, Nigeria took the lead in the 21st minute of halftime after Flamingos forward Opeyemi Ajakaye fired a shot and got the better of Eve Boettcher from a flowing move.
The Flamingos went on with their excellent strikes in the second half as Aminat Omowunmi headed powerfully into the European’s net from defender Miracle Usani’s corner kick in the 48th minute while the third goal came in the 63rd minute.
However, Germany pegged back and reduced the scoreline in the 73rd minute when Veit Jella pulled one back.
The European’s hope for an equalizer became realistic after Paulina Plattner made it 3-2 with five minutes to the stoppage time.
In the stoppage time, Loreen Bender wrapped up the draw to make it 3-3 and forced the Flamingos into a penalty shootout.
The Flamingos, staring at what could be an annihilation they suffered against the Silver medalist Columbia, fought hard to clinch the bronze as they defeated Germany 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
Elated with the excellent performance of the Flamingos, Former Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa took to his official Twitter handle @Ahmedmusa718 to congratulate the team and confirm the cash gift to the girls on arrival in Abuja.
“Three million waiting for Flamingos in Abuja,” the former Leicester City player wrote in a reply to Super Falcons’ tweet celebrating Nigeria’s historic feat. “Congratulations”, he added.
3Million waiting for Flamingos in Abuja. Congratulations 🎉🇳🇬👏
— Ahmed Musa MON (@Ahmedmusa718) October 30, 2022
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles Captain had earlier on Saturday gifted a 1 million naira reward for the Olympic Eagles for their two goals scored against Tanzania in Ibadan.
Musa promised half a million Naira per goal, and the Nigerian boys did it in a grand style, winning the encounter against Tanzania 2-0.
The Sivasspor of Turkey forward, Musa, has a long history of kind deeds having recently made similar donations to many Nigerians.
Earlier this year, a member of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics Gold medal-winning Dream Team, Kingsley Obiekwu, who opened up on his financial problems received a kind donation of 2 million Naira from the Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa.
Also, in continuation of his policy to raise less privileged in the society out of poverty, Ahmed Musa has donated 100million Naira to 5,000 widows and other less privileged women in Plateau State.
The Flamingos made history in Sunday’s victory over Germany
Nigeria’s U-17 girls won their first-ever FIFA World Cup medals on Sunday after they defeated Germany in a 3-2 penalty shootout following a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mumbai.
In addition, Sunday’s victory for the Flamingos made them the second African team to have achieved success after Ghana grabbed the bronze medal at the 2012 edition of the tournament.
The triumphant Flamingos are expected to fly back into Nigeria at noon on Tuesday, the 1st of November.
