Nigeria U-20 Women’s national team, the Falconets, began their U-20 West Africa Football Union (WAFU)-B Girls Cup campaign on Saturday in Benin on a bright note, defeating Ghana’s Black Princesses 3-1.
Head coach Moses Aduku named a strong starting XI (the 11 primary players) with Taiwo Afolabi returning to the squad after featuring for the Super Falcons in recent World Cup qualifiers.
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Janet Akekoromowei and Precious Oscar also earned starting roles, while captain Joy Igbokwe led the team from midfield.
The opening half lived up to the billing of a fierce West African derby, with both sides battling for control in the middle of the park.
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Nigeria, however, broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after a Ghanaian defender handled the ball inside the area.
Akekoromowei made no mistake from the spot, sending goalkeeper Grace Andoh the wrong way to hand the Falconets a deserved lead.
On resumption of the second half, Akekoromowei struck again in the 46th minute showing great composure to lift a clever lob over Andoh pouncing on a loose ball in the Ghanaian box.
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Ghana halved the deficit just four minutes into the second half through Sarah Nyarko , who finished from close range to restore hope for the Black Princesses 2-1.
The Ghanaians pressed for an equaliser, but Nigeria’s backline remained resolute, frustrating their opponents with disciplined defending.
The Falconets sealed the win two minutes from time when Favour Chiamaka in-swinging corner sailed over Andoh into the net, restoring Nigeria’s two-goal advantage.
With the 3-1 victory, Nigeria top Group A and will next face hosts Benin Republic on Sunday and later meet Ghana on Tuesday by 10.a.m.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reports that the 2025 WAFU Zone B Under-20 Girls’ Cup, which started on Friday, will end on Wednesday with just three participating nations -Nigeria, Ghana, and hosts Benin Republic.
The WAFU B U-20 Girls’ Cup serves as a crucial developmental platform for identifying new talents and preparing national squads for upcoming CAF and FIFA youth competitions.
(NAN)
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