FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup: Falconets aim for first semi-final appearance in 12 years

After sweeping past England 3-0 in the Round of 16 in Bielsko-Biała on Thursday, Nigeria’s Falconets are in a great mood as they confront their Colombian counterparts in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

The two-time runners-up return to the familiar hunting grounds in Łódź, and with history in their favour having beaten the South Americans 1-0 in the semi-final stage of the 2010 edition, when Ebere Orji scored after only two minutes in Bielefeld, Germany and the Nigerian girls held on to the advantage till the end.

That win, which took the Falconets into their first final appearance and podium performance in any FIFA-organised women’s football championship, came on the back of an extraordinary triumph over the United States of America in Augsburg. Helen Ukaonu fired Nigeria’s equalizer 11 minutes from time, and Ukaonu, Joy Jegede, Esther Sunday and Desire Oparanozie scored in the ensuing penalty shoot-out to give Nigeria victory.

Sunday’s clash with the Colombians in Łódź is also coming on the back of a soul-lifting performance, with the Nigerian girls still relishing a three-goal defeat of England’s Young Lionesses in the Round of 16.

Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei and Mary Mamudu scored to send the Lionesses back to London. Mamudu has proved a consistent finisher in the past few weeks, after scoring against host nation Poland and South Korea in pre-tournament friendlies.

Nigeria’s goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma, who made a jaw-dropping six big saves (including a penalty kick) against England in a ferocious 45 minutes in the Round of 16, will again be instrumental to Nigeria’s game on Sunday.

Head Coach Moses Aduku insists his girls will not go into the Municipal Stadium with any sense of achievement or over-confidence.

“It will be unwise for us to keep thinking of the win over England. That match is gone and we already cut short our celebration immediately after in the dressing room to focus on the encounter with Colombia. The Colombians sent out the host nation and will not be a walk-in-the-park for us.

“We must put our best foot forward, contest every ball and go for victory. The girls realise that this is an extraordinary opportunity for them to write their names in gold in Nigeria football.”

Just as the Falconets defeated Poland 1-0 in a pre-tournament friendly in Brzeg, Colombia achieved the same result in eliminating the hosts on Thursday night.

The Falconets exuded confidence and great spirit during Saturday’s official training, which coincided with payment of outstanding daily allowances for the players and officials by the Nigeria Football Federation.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who personally splashed a token of appreciation on the players aside the daily allowances, charged the girls to go all out on Sunday: “You have sustained a great mentality in this tournament since the 0-0 draw with China in your second match.

“Tournaments naturally get tougher at the closing stages. However, tough teams get tougher when the going gets tough. The NFF has confidence in you to make Nigeria proud by not only overcoming the Colombian challenge, but also going all the way to lift the trophy for the very first time.”

PHOTO: Mamudu (right) celebrates with fellow goalscorer Akekoromowei against England on Thursday.