Habeeb Akinfegbe
The Falconets beat their host South Africa, 1-0 on Sunday to complete a double and progress with a 3-1 aggregate having won the first leg, 2-1, in Abuja earlier. Chinwendu Ihezuo, who got the goals for Nigeria in Abuja, was again the hero in the second leg as she netted the only goal which once again confirms Nigeria’s participation at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup for.
The Falconets have never failed to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since it was launched in Canada 13 years ago. With two runner–up positions (2010 and 2014), a fourth–place finish in 2012 and quarter–final berths in Thailand (2004), Russia (2006) and Chile (2008).
The young sensation, Ihezuo grabbed the winner against the hosts as the Falconets picked a precious ticket to Papua New Guinea 2016. Surprisingly, it was the Nigerians that had the brightest start against their hosts, coming close from a free kick in the seventh minute. The Falconets kept dictating the pace in Tembisa but the South Africans made a brave attempt on goal through Gabriela Salgado, however, her effort was thwarted by Nigeria's goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii. In the 17th minute, the visitors snatched the precious lead through free scoring forward Ihezuo who silenced the home fans and raised her goal tally in the qualifying round to six.
The Basetsana rallied for a comeback, but struggled to contain lanky Ihezuo whose continued to torment the hosts' defence but with her effort going over the bar.
The Falconets have now qualified for the seventh time and will await the winner between Ghana and Ethiopia to emerge as Africa’s two representatives at the 2016 Fifa U20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
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