Laila Ijeoma The Nigeria’s U-20 female team, the Falconets, on Saturday in Benin defeated their South African counterparts to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in France after a six-goal victory over their opponents.
The Falconets, had earlier defeated the South African team a fortnight ago in the first leg in South Africa and so qualified on an eight-goal aggregate.
The return leg, which was played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin saw the Nigerian team scoring five goals in the first half of the game in what outrightly looked like a one-sided game
The Besetsana were hardly a match for their Nigerian opponents who clearly dominated proceedings right from the blast of the whistle till the end of the match.
The Nigerian goal keeper, who was virtually on holiday, only had a feel of the ball twice all through the first half of the match.
A brace each by Monday Gift (5th and 39th minute), Ajibade Rasheedat (21st and 32nd minute) and Imo Anam (26th and 73rd minute) ensured Falconets’ comfortable win in Benin.
The South Africans became more aggressive and even came close to scoring in the early minutes of the second half but were denied the opportunity by the Nigerian keeper, Annadozie Chiamaka.
Nigeria’s Monday Gift got a red card and also sustained an injury at the same time following a goal-mouth scramble in South Africa’s vital area.
The Falconets had defeated the Tanzanian and Moroccan teams en-route to qualifying for the World Cup.
The 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which is the ninth edition, will hold between Aug. 5 and Aug. 24 in France.
Nigeria’s last superb performance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was in the year 2014, where the Nigerian team came second after losing to Germany in the final match.
Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won the Golden Ball award at the tournament as well as the Golden Boot having scored seven goals and provided two assists.
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