Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, delivered a commanding performance in Ibadan on Saturday, sweeping aside Rwanda 4-0 in a 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match.
The emphatic result at the Lekan Salami Stadium sealed a 5-0 aggregate victory and confirmed Nigeria’s place in the third round, where they will face either Senegal or Algeria in February next year.
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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, added a celebratory touch to the evening by rewarding the players with $15,000 for their spirited display.
His gesture highlighted the importance of the Falconets’ success, as the team continues its quest for another appearance at the global stage.
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From the first whistle, the Falconets stamped their authority on the game, attacking with pace and purpose.
Midfielder Janet Akekoromowei almost gave Nigeria an early lead in the third minute with a delicate chip, but her effort drifted wide.
The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when winger Tessy Ojiyovwi raced down the left flank and delivered a precise cross for Precious Oscar to calmly slot home.
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Three minutes later, goalkeeper Iramuzi Belise denied Akekoromowei, but there was no reprieve in the 20th minute. Defender Tumininu Adeshina swung in a corner that Belise could only fumble into her own net, doubling Nigeria’s advantage.
The Falconets continued to press, with Oscar and Akekoromowei both going close before halftime. After the restart, their dominance grew stronger.
Esther Inyang’s effort narrowly missed in the 59th minute, but moments later, Akekoromowei finally got her goal, drilling a low shot past the Rwandan goalkeeper for 3-0.
Ojiyovwi thought she had added a fourth in the 65th minute, only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny her.
However, substitute Alaba Olabiyi, who scored the decisive goal in the first leg in Kigali, wrapped up the scoring in the final minute.
READ ALSO: U20 WWCQ: Adukwu, Igbokwe rally Falconets for Rwanda showdown
She turned in Taiwo Afolabi’s shot to seal a comprehensive win.
The Falconets’ performance underlined their pedigree as two-time World Cup runners-up and reinforced their status as one of Africa’s strongest sides at this level.
With Governor Makinde’s financial reward boosting morale, the Nigerian girls will march into the next round brimming with confidence and intent.
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