Falconets edge Tanzania to reach fourth round of U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, booked their passage into the final round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in Abuja.

Following a 1-1 draw in Tanzania, the Nigerian girls needed a win at home to progress from the penultimate round of the qualifiers.

The Falconets took just 15 minutes to open the scoring, as Opeyemi Ajakaye set up Asisat Oshoala Academy forward Janet Akekoromowei to score her first goal for the national side.

Tanzania showed the same fighting spirit they brought in the first leg and equalised just five minutes later through Jamila Rajani Mnunduka from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

The impressive Ajakaye, who was nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year, thought she had restored the lead for the Nigerian team after 25 minutes, but her effort was ruled out for offside.

On the stroke of the hour, the Falconets’ dominance told as highly-rated defender Comfort Folorunsho headed home following a corner-kick delivery from Olushola Shobowale to make it 2-1.

The Falconets continued to control the encounter and missed a number of chances to add to their advantage, but held on to claim a 3-2 aggregate win.

Nigeria will face Burundi in the final round of qualifiers for a place in the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.