U-20 World Cup: Falconets Finish Group Stage In Perfect Style, Defeat Canada

The Falconets of Nigeria finished the group stage of the ongoing FIFA women U-20 world cup tournament in Costa Rica with a perfect record, defeating all their opponents.

The Falconets grabbed the maximum nine points from their games after beating Canada 3-1 in their last group game on Thursday morning.

Naija News reports the Nigerian girls had earlier beat France and Korea Republic, recording 1-0 victories against the two teams in previous group clashes.

Having finished top of their group, the Falconets will now face the Netherlands in the quarter-final clash of the tournament.

It was Canada that scored first in the last Group C game following goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a backpass from Jumoke Alani which Kala Novak took advantage of to score in the second minute.

However, the girls rallied, recovered and won the game 3-1 with goals from Midfielder, Esther Onyenezide from the penalty spot (24th and 32nd minute) before substitute, Chioma Olise scored the third goal for Nigeria in the closing moments of the second half (90+1).

Speaking after the game, coach Chris Danjuma 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.”

The Falconets take on the Netherlands in the quarter-final game billed for Alajuela by 1am on Monday (Nigerian time).