Colombia Captain Ortegon Warns Nigeria: ‘We Will Always Compete To Win’

Colombia captain Juana Ortegon has warned Nigeria that her team will approach their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup quarter-final with the same fighting spirit that has carried them into the last eight.

Colombia secured their place in the quarter-finals after edging hosts Poland 1-0, with a late own goal deciding the contest.

Ortegon said the Colombians never stop fighting, regardless of how difficult a match becomes.

‘This team is all about fighting until the end. We always fight and do our best. We never stop trying to go forward, and in the end we scored,’ Ortegon said.

The captain stressed that Colombia would take the tournament one match at a time, beginning with their meeting with Nigeria.

‘We will play match by match. We are very happy to be in the quarter-finals, so we will think about Nigeria first, but this team will always compete to win,’ she added.

Colombia’s quarter-final opponents Nigeria booked their place in the last eight in emphatic fashion, defeating England 3-0.

Despite Colombia’s ambition to go all the way, Ortegon insisted the players remain focused on the immediate challenge.

‘Our dream is to win the world title, but we’re going match by match,’ she said.

The quarter-final clash between Nigeria and Colombia will take place in Lodz on Sunday, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.