Nigeria is a step away from their first FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup. They have a semi–final date with Colombia after seeing off another women’s football powerhouse USA after kicks from the penalty spot.  The game had ended in a one-all draw after Amber Brooks had put the USA ahead in the ninth minute and in truth dominated most of the entire first half with the Nigeria’s Falconets struggling to find their feet. It was only solid goalkeeping by the Alba Jonathan in the Nigerian goal posts that denied the Americans from extending their lead. 
Sports Runway is of the view, however, that in the second half of the game, the Nigerians stepped up a gear and began to probe in a much better manner than they were able to in the first half. The USA keeper, Bianca Henninger, was to be beaten with the game 11 minutes shy of the end with the Nigerians forcing the game into extra-time and kicks from the penalty spot.  The Nigerians saw off the USA by winning the penalty shootout 4-2. In the other quarterfinals, Columbia, making their debut appearance in this competition, beat Sweden 2-0 with the two goals coming inside the first 11 minutes of the game that was played in Bielefeld. Germany and South Korea is the other semi-final pair, with the latter having disposed off Mexico with a score line of 3-1, while the former saw off Korea DPR by 2-0.
Interestingly, the semi-finalists apart from Germany will be making the semi-finals of this competition for the first time. Whilst Germany takes on a determined Korea Republic in the first semi-final scheduled for Bochum this Thursday, Africa’s hope in this event Nigeria will lock horns with Columbia later the same day. Four Confederations are represented at the semi-finals, Nigeria for Africa, with Columbia maintaining a semi-final berth for South America replacing regulars Brazil; South Korea will fly the Asian colors in the semis, with Germany repeating European flavor in this stage of the competition yet again. Sports Runway believes that Africa will once again look to Nigeria to raise the continental flag high in reaching the finals and possibly clinching the trophy although Columbia and hosts Germany will prove stubborn opponents. Columbia has consistently put up a good performance, emerging runners-up to Germany in the group stages after winning and losing once, drawing once, before beating Sweden in the quarterfinals.  Nigeria, meantime, has not lost a game. They drew twice in the group stages and won one game before eliminating USA in the quarterfinals. 
Whether or not Amarachi Okronkwo, the 17-year-old Nigerian playmaker and her colleagues will carry the day and break another record by making the finals remains to be seen. Whichever way it goes, Nigeria must be applauded for once again giving Africa a first semi-final berth in this youth competition. sportsrunway@yahoo.com