Nigeria U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, thrashed New Caledonia 10-1 to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ramotalahi Kareem and substitute Winner Onajite David both completed hat-tricks as Nigeria produced a dominant display at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź as Nigeria finished second in Group F.
Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute before Rebecca Adegbemile doubled the Falconets’ advantage two minutes later. Janet Akekoromowei made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute, with Kareem completing her brace four minutes later to give Nigeria a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.
The Falconets continued their dominance after the restart, with substitute David scoring Nigeria’s fifth in the 60th minute. Kareem completed her hat-trick four minutes later, while Tosin Rafiu added the seventh in the 70th minute. Adegbemile scored her second four minutes later before David struck again to make it 9-0.
New Caledonia pulled one back through Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute, with the goal making history as the island nation’s first-ever at the tournament.
David restored Nigeria’s nine-goal advantage in the fourth minute of added time, completing her hat-trick and sealing a 10-1 victory.
Kareem and David joined Maureen Eke (2006) and Francisca Ordega (2012) as Nigerian hat-trick scorers at the tournament, while Asisat Oshoala remains the only Nigerian to score four in a game.
The win is Nigeria’s biggest in the competition, surpassing their 8-0 victory over Finland in 2006. The Falconets finished second in Group F on four points as Africa’s only team through to the Round of 16, where they face England on Thursday, 17 September.
Image: FIFA
