Nigeria’s U20 girls’s staff, the Falconets, delivered a commanding efficiency in Ibadan on Saturday, sweeping apart Rwanda 4-0 in a 2026 FIFA U20 Ladies’s World Cup qualifying match.
The emphatic end result on the Lekan Salami Stadium sealed a 5-0 mixture victory and confirmed Nigeria’s place within the third spherical, the place they are going to face both Senegal or Algeria in February subsequent yr.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, added a celebratory contact to the night by rewarding the gamers with $15,000 for his or her spirited show.
His gesture highlighted the significance of the Falconets’ success, because the staff continues its quest for one more look on the world stage.
From the primary whistle, the Falconets stamped their authority on the sport, attacking with tempo and goal.
Midfielder Janet Akekoromowei virtually gave Nigeria an early lead within the third minute with a fragile chip, however her effort drifted extensive.
The breakthrough got here within the twelfth minute when winger Tessy Ojiyovwi raced down the left flank and delivered a exact cross for Valuable Oscar to calmly slot residence.
Three minutes later, goalkeeper Iramuzi Belise denied Akekoromowei, however there was no reprieve within the twentieth minute. Defender Tumininu Adeshina swung in a nook that Belise may solely fumble into her personal web, doubling Nigeria’s benefit.
The Falconets continued to press, with Oscar and Akekoromowei each going shut earlier than halftime. After the restart, their dominance grew stronger.
Esther Inyang’s effort narrowly missed within the 59th minute, however moments later, Akekoromowei lastly bought her purpose, drilling a low shot previous the Rwandan goalkeeper for 3-0.
Ojiyovwi thought she had added a fourth within the sixty fifth minute, just for the assistant referee’s flag to disclaim her.
Nonetheless, substitute Alaba Olabiyi, who scored the decisive purpose within the first leg in Kigali, wrapped up the scoring within the last minute.
READ ALSO: U20 WWCQ: Adukwu, Igbokwe rally Falconets for Rwanda showdown
She turned in Taiwo Afolabi’s shot to seal a complete win.
The Falconets’ efficiency underlined their pedigree as two-time World Cup runners-up and strengthened their standing as one in every of Africa’s strongest sides at this stage.
With Governor Makinde’s monetary reward boosting morale, the Nigerian women will march into the following spherical brimming with confidence and intent.
