Sports
Falconets thrashes 4-0 Rwanda in qualifiers
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team underlined their dominance in African football with the convincing triumph, sealing progress to the next stage of the 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Falconets, who had earned a narrow 1-0 win in Kigali in the first leg, completed a 5-0 aggregate victory to book their spot in the third round, where they will face either Senegal or Algeria.
From the outset, the hosts dictated the tempo with fluid attacking play and sharp movement in front of a stadium filled with fans still celebrating the coronation of Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan.
Their breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Janet Akekoromewei breezed past her marker on the right flank and squared for Precious Oscar, who calmly slotted home to open the scoring.
Barely three minutes later, the Falconets doubled their advantage in spectacular fashion. Tumininu Adesina curled a corner kick straight into the net, leaving the Rwandan goalkeeper stranded and the Ibadan crowd in raptures.
The Moses Aduku-led side returned after the interval with the same intensity. Just on the hour mark, Janet, who had been a constant menace for the visitors, fired a thunderous strike from distance. The Rwandan keeper got a hand to it but failed to keep it out as the ball nestled into the bottom corner for 3-0.
Substitute Taiwo Afolabi added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time with a composed finish, capping off a dominant display that showed Nigeria’s attacking depth and technical superiority.
With qualification for Poland 2026 in sight, the Falconets will now turn their attention to the third round. Senegal, who hold a 2-0 advantage over Algeria from the first leg of their tie, remain favourites to meet Nigeria in what promises to be a highly competitive clash.
The winner will proceed to the final round to pick a spot as one of Africa’s four representatives in the tournament to be hosted by Poland in September 2026.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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