In a display of strength and skill on Sunday, Falconets secured a 2-1 victory against Tanzania at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, propelling them to the final round of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Janet Akekoromowei and Comfort Folorunsho scored the crucial goals that secured the Nigerians’ triumph over their East African opponents. Despite a disappointing 1-1 draw between the Super Eagles and the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the neutral territory of Rwanda for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Falconets’ success brought a ray of joy to Nigerian football enthusiasts.
The Falconets outplayed the Tanzanian team, clinching a 3-2 aggregate victory and earning them a spot in the final round where they will face Burundi’s U20 girls. Unfazed by poor marksmanship from former U17 team striker Opeyemi Ajakaye in the early minutes, Akekoromowei broke the deadlock after 16 minutes, skillfully converting an intelligent pass from Taiwo Afolabi.
Despite goalkeeper Shukura Bakare’s mishap from a seemingly harmless free-kick, allowing Jamila Mnunduka to equalize for the East Africans, Nigeria continued to press forward. Shukurat Oladipo’s powerful free-kick from 40 yards was expertly parried away by goalkeeper Zulfa Ally Makau, denying Nigeria the lead in the 25th minute.
The defining moment came on the hour mark when defender Comfort Folorunsho rose above the competition, heading home from Afolabi’s cross after a sequence of touches following a corner kick.
With this victory, Falconets now gear up to face Burundi in the final round of qualifiers, vying for a coveted spot as one of Africa’s representatives at the global championship set to be hosted by Colombia next year.
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