By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
A solitary second half goal scored by winger Opeyemi Esther Ajakaye in the 80th minute at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, saw Nigeria’s U-20 women’s football team, Falconets beat their opponents from Burundi 1-0 to qualify on 2-0 aggregate for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will come up later this year in Colombia.
Nigeria had last Sunday, January 14 at Azam Stadium Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania edged Burundi by a lone penalty goal scored by Janet Akekoromowei to put one leg in Colombia going into Saturday’s return leg match in Abuja.
But expectations of the Falconets scoring more goals in the second leg disappeared like the early morning dews as the Burundians came with a superior game tactics and pushed the more experienced Nigerians to the brinks and efforts by Falconets to score came to nothing as poor marksmanship robbed the home team hence the first half ended goalless.
On resumption, the coach Christopher Danjuma Musa tutored team continued to waste begging chances as they could not convert with winger Chaimaka Okwuchukwu who operated from the right of the field and Ajakaye from the left side coming close several times without scoring.
However, few minutes after Okwuchukwu was substituted, top 9 Akekoromowei bulldozed her way into Burundi’s box and in the ensuing commotion, the ball fell nicely for Ajakaye to slam home for the only goal on the day.
All efforts by Burundi to rescue something out of the encounter did not materialise as the Falconets backline featuring captain, Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Jumoke Alani, Rebecca Adegbemile, Chioma Olise and Olushola Shobowale gave cover to the goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi who was rarely tested by the Burundians.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has qualified for the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup final for a record 11 times as the Falconets have made appearances in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 , 2016, 2018, 2022 and 2024. READ ALSO:
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Nigeria’s Startlist vs Burundi:
1. Anderline Mgbechi 16 (GK)
2. Jumoke Alani 17
3. Oluchi Ohaegbulem 12 (C)
4. Adoo Yina 10
5. Shukurat Oladipo 18
6. Rebecca Adegbemile 5
7. Esther Ajakaye 14
8. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu 7
9. Chioma Olise 15
10. Olushola Shobowale 2
11. Janet Akekpromowei 9
Substitutes:
12. Faith Omilana 21
13. Oluwabunmi Semilore 13
14. Taiwo Afolabi 6
15. Mary Lucky Mkpa 19
16. Chinyere Kalu 3
17. Goodness Osigwe 11
18. Aminat Folorunsho 8
Coach: Christopher Danjuma Musa
