The Super Falconets secured their spot in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 aggregate triumph over Burundi during the second leg of the fourth-round qualifying match at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Saturday.
In a closely contested clash, the Nigerian U20 female national team clinched a 1-0 victory against Burundi, courtesy of Opeyemi Ajakaye’s late goal, mirroring the first-leg encounter’s scoreline in Dar es Salaam.
Despite numerous missed opportunities in both halves, with erratic finishing from Ajakaiye and Janet Akekoromowei, the duo eventually combined for the decisive goal. Ajakaiye found the net in the 78th minute, and although she scored again in the 90th minute, the referee disallowed the latter strike.
As the first African team to secure their place in the U20 World Cup, Nigeria stands out with three more slots available for other teams. This victory reinforces Nigeria’s impressive record of not missing the U20 World Cup since its inception in 2002. The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22.
