Nigeria’s Under 20 Women’s football team, the Falconets, has clinched a coveted place in the finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, set to take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22. The Falconets secured their qualification after a resounding victory against their counterparts from Burundi, winning by a lone goal in the second leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round fixture.
The crucial match unfolded at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where Opeyemi Ajakaye emerged as the hero by scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute. This victory secured a 2-0 aggregate win for Nigeria in the final round of the qualifying stage, as they had previously won the first leg by a solitary goal in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 14.
Ajakaye, the top scorer for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup bronze-winning Flamingos in 2022, showcased her prowess by volleying in the crucial goal early in the encounter. Despite Nigeria’s vast superiority, the team struggled to convert numerous opportunities created throughout the match.
In the second minute, Ajakaye missed a chance to score when she volleyed wide, while Janet Akekoromowei failed to convert a chance created by Chiamaka Okwuchukwu 13 minutes later. Okwuchukwu herself missed an opportunity in the 34th minute.
Despite the missed chances, Ajakaye continued to press the visitors’ defense, making a solo run in the 53rd minute, only to deliver a weak shot easily collected by the Burundi goalkeeper, Amissa Inarukundo. Ajakaye made another attempt in the 90th minute, scoring a second goal with an assist from Akekoromowei, but it did not stand.
Ajakaye’s lone goal ensured that Nigeria secured its place as one of Africa’s four representatives at the upcoming tournament. Nigeria has consistently featured in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since its inception as an Under 19 tournament in Canada 22 years ago. The Falconets achieved runners-up status in 2010 and 2014, with a semi-final appearance in Japan in 2012. The team will now aim for a stellar performance in the upcoming finals in Colombia later this year.
