Nigeria rounded off their group stage schedule at the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica with an impressive 3-1 spanking of Canada in Alajuela on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Nigeria).
The Falconets had sealed their place in the quarter final of the competition after their 1-0 win over South Korea on Sunday but proved their supremacy in Group C with the convincing win over the group’s basement side Canada.
Nigeria, coached by Christopher Musa Danjuma got off to a worst possible start when a mistake at the back line involving goalkeeper Monle Oyono allowed Kala Novak score the game’s opener in the second minute.
The ever-present Africans (at the U20 World Cup) responded and drew level in the 24th minute courtesy of Esther Onyenezide’s spot kick after Blessing Okpe’s shot was handled inside the penalty area.
Another Onyenezide penalty kick eight minutes later completed the turnaround after Mercy Idoko was upended by Simi Awujo inside the penalty box. The FC Robo midfielder dispatched the kick with aplomb to give Nigeria the lead for the first time in the game and take her goals tally in the competition to three.
The Falconets saw off the game with diligence in the second half, staving off their opponents from their penalty area. When it looked as though there would be no goal anymore, substitute Chioma Olise popped up in stoppage time to finish off a brilliant cross by the irrepressible Rofiat Imuran to add icing on the cake.
The win over Canada ensured Nigeria’s passage to the quarter final as group winners, claiming a 100% record for the first time since they began participating at the competition.
Nigeria will now face the Netherlands in their quarter final game at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela on Sunday. The game is scheduled for 4:30pm local time, 11:30pm in Nigeria.
Nigeria XI
Oyono; J. Alani, T. Demehin (c), W. Oshobukola, R. Imuran; B. Amoo (A. Yina 86′), D. Abiodun (C. Olise 86′) E. Onyenezide ; B. Okpe (Sabastine 52′), M. Idoko (C. Kalu 86′), C. Okwuchukwu (J. Jerry 75′)
