Nigeria reached the final round of the qualification series for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after the Falconets turned back their Cameroonian counterparts 3-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
Ethiopia, Ghana and Senegal have also progressed to the final round of the qualifiers which take place next month with two nations expected to make it to the 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup slated for Costa Rica in August.
At the newly refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja the Falconets made a mince meat of the Young Lionesses of Cameroon whom they pummeled 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg ended goalless in Douala a fortnight ago.
The encounter was the first international match at Nigeria’s premium sporting arena since the Falcons defeated their Senegalese counterparts 2-0 in a Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in April 2016.
A brace by left –sided midfielder Esther Onyenezide and one by Precious Vincent sent the Young Lionesses back to Yaounde empty –handed, less than 48 hours after that country’s senior men team was bumped in the semi final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations the country is currently hosting.
Onyenezide struck after 22 minutes, before Vincent increased the worries of the visitors eight minutes from the interval. Onyenezide struck again in the 73rd minute to put the match beyond the Lionesses.
The Falconets will now tango with Senegal in a two-legged affair next month for a slot at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August after the Senegalese U20 side overwhelmed Morocco 5-4 on penalties after both legs ended 2-2 apiece on aggregate.
In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recovered from a 1-0 first leg deficit against Tanzania U20 women’s side to triumph 2-0 in the reverse fixture. They thus qualified 2-1 on aggregate at the expense of their East African foes.
Ethiopia will now face the Black Princesses of Ghana who dazed Uganda 7-1 on aggregate in the final round of the qualifiers in March. Ghana won the first leg 2-1 in Kampala but routed the Young Cranes 5-0 at the Cape Coast Stadium, Accra to make it consecutive wins.
Photo Credit: Justina Photos.
