SPORTS: The Nigerian U-20 girls, Falconets, on early hours of Thursday, defeated Canada 3-1  in group C last Match to set a perfect World Cup group stage record for themselves and the country.

Basic Facts

• The Nigerian U-20 Females are through to the quarter finals with 9 points.
• The Falconets will play the Netherlands in the quarter finals in Costa Rica 2022.
• The Falconets had defeated France and South Korea 1-0 respectively in the first two matches in Group C.

What We Know

The Nigerian U-20 Females team, Falconets started their FIFA 2022 World cup in Costa Rica on a promising note.

Playing in what would have been seen as a tough group, the Nigerian girls had in their first game defeated France 1-0, before repeating same goal margin against South Korea through a 2nd half goal by Esther Onyenedezie.

The last group game in Alajuela on Thursday morning saw the Falconets conceding their first goal in the competition.

Africa’s best team conceded their first goal in an accidental manner, following goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a back pass from Jumoke Alani that granted Kala Novak a fortuitous goal in less than two minutes.

Midfield wonder, Esther Onyenezide, scored from the penalty spot in the 24th minute to pull the Falconets level. Defender Mia Pante had handled the ball from a Blessing Okpe shot in the box.

Esther Onyenezide was on duty again in the 32nd minutes, as she shot Nigeria ahead, also from the spot, in the 32nd minute minute, after Simi Awujo’s dangerous play against Mercy Idoko, as the latter went for a header from Rofiat Imuran’s inswinger, was penalised.

In the added time of first period, Mercy Idoko came close to scoring her first goal of the tournament, but her touch from another Imuran inswinger hit the woodwork.

In the second half, the Falconets added pace and brilliant use of space to their game, and it was little surprise when Imuran, again with an intentional cross, set up substitute Chioma Olise for Nigeria’s third goal and fourth and last for the day.

With this, the Nigerian girls topped group C and have set up a quarter-final date with the Netherlands by 1am on Monday (Nigeria time).

Notable Quotes

Speaking after the match, Falconets head coach, Chris Musa said:

“It was great for us to come back from that setback, and also conceding first in the tournament. We showed character and spirit, and that would be huge for us going forward in the competition,”.

Catch up

The Nigerian girls have dominated the African game, however at the world stage, the continental feat is yet to be replicated.

Takeaway

The Falconets look good to make this 2022 world cup a victorious one for Nigerian, thereby wiping away the disappointment of Morocco 2022.

A success here would also announce the arrival of the Nigerian girls as a team to beat at the world stage and not just champions of Africa.