Nigeria’s Falconets Reach Last 16 of FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup
Nigeria’s Falconets have qualified for the last 16 of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after a convincing 4-0 win over Venezuela in their final Group D match at the Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Colombia on Saturday night.
Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, and Flourish Sebastine scored in the first half, while Joy Igbokwe added a fourth goal in stoppage time to seal the victory.
The win gives the Falconets six points from three matches, the same as group winners Germany. However, Nigeria finishes second in the group due to an inferior head-to-head and goals difference.
Okwuchukwu set up Bello for the opener on 16 minutes, before scoring the second goal herself with a header on 28 minutes. Sebastine tapped in the third goal deep into added time in the first half.
“We are thrilled to have made it to the next round,” said Falconets coach Christopher Danjuma. “The girls played a fantastic game, and we’re proud of their performance.”
Igbokwe, who came on as a substitute, scored a stunning goal from distance with the last kick of the game to seal the 4-0 win.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Igbokwe. “I’m so happy to have scored and helped my team qualify for the next round.”
The Falconets will face the top-ranked team in Group E, either Japan or Austria, in the next round on September 13.
“We’re ready for the challenge,” said Danjuma. “We’ll prepare well and give it our all in the next match.”
With this win, the Falconets have made Nigeria proud, and fans are eagerly awaiting their next match.
