Nigeria’s Falconets defeat Benin Republic to set up showdown with Ghana…
Falconets continue their 100% win record at the U-20 WAFU B Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over Benin Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana on Wednesday evening.
An Esther Onyenezide brace and a lone goal from Amina Bello ensured the Falconets defeat Benin to record their fourth straight win in as many games, as the World Cup finalists secured a spot in the final of the inaugural tournament.
This win takes the Falconets’ tally to 19 goals scored and zero conceded so far in the tournament.
While Benin looked to replicate the group stage performance that saw them earn a shock against Ivory Coast last week, the Falconets proved a different and difficult kind of opponent from kick-off.
In the 24th minute, a long pass from the defence found Amina Bello who turned expertly before unleashing a powerful shot past the goalkeeper right at the edge of the box to open the scoring. 10 minutes later, Flourish Sebastine dribbled past two Beninoise defenders in their box and was fouled in the process thereby resulting in a penalty kick.
Onyenezide stepped up and converted with aplomb to double the Falconets’ lead.
The girls continued their dominance in the second half and in the 60th minute, Onyenezide added a third goal following a brilliant solo run, to progress to the final of the tournament.
In the second semi-final, Ghana defeated Burkina Faso 3-1 to set up a final clash with Nigeria’s Falconets on Sunday.
Onyenezide’s brace and Bello’s solo strike today took both their goal tallies in the competition to 3 goals each while Esther Ajakaye remains top of the goalscorer’s chart with 6 goals.
