One of the most prestigious FIFA age-grade tournaments is the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. This competition has a lot to offer exciting viewers all across the world.
The biennial competition has also been a platform for the discovery of many world class female football talents.
Brazil’s Martha, rated as one of the best female football players ever seen, played at the 2004 edition. She glamorously won the Golden Ball award. During the first edition of the competition in 2002, Canada’s Christine Sinclair emerged.
Sinclair was a special player who scored 10 goals 20 years ago, guiding the host nation to the final. A narrow 1-0 loss to the United States ensured Sinclair and her indefatigable teammates settled for the runners-up spot.
Interestingly, the 10th edition of the competition has begun in Costa Rica. On Wednesday, we witnessed four matches from Group A and B.
In Group A, Australia beat host nation Costa Rica 3-1 while Spain and Brazil settled for a goalless draw.
Nigeria’s Falconets will play their first Group C game against France. South Korea and Canada are the other group opponents of the two-time runners-up.
In the history of Nigeria’s U20 Women’s World Cup participation, the most successful period was between 2010 and 2014.
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Nigeria lost the final of the tournament to powerhouse Germany in both the 2010 and 2014 editions. In between those two impressive outings, the Falconets ended the 2012 competition in fourth place. Edwin Okon’s girls lost 2-1 to Japan.
Some notable members of the team 10 years ago are Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and Ngozi Okobi. Others are Gloria Ofoegbu (Captain), Jennifer Osawaru and Oshoala (who was 17 at the time).
In 2010, Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the last four of an U20 Women’s World Cup. During the championship, four different confederations were represented in the semifinal, also for the very first time.
The Falconets were pitched in Group C alongside England Japan and Mexico. Coach Egan Ndem’s girls drew 1-1 with England in the first match. Nigeria’s only goal from that encounter was gotten through Desire Oparanozie’s strike in the 59th minute. A 2-1 win against Japan and another 1-1 draw against Mexico saw Nigeria finish 2nd with five points.
Up next was a very tight contest against the United States in the quarter finals. Following yet another 1-1 draw after extra time, the Falconets won 4-2 on penalties to book a semifinal ticket. Captain of the team Joy Jegede, Helen Ukaonu, Esther Sunday and Oparanozie all converted their spot kicks.
An early goal in the semifinal tie against Colombia was all the determined young Nigerian girls needed to scale through. Ebere Orji’s second minute goal sent the Falconets through to the final where the team lost 2-0 to hosts Germany.
It was a very brilliant showing from the West Africans and there was no shame in losing that final. The girls bowed out with their heads high and having achieved what no African nation had ever done.
When Nigeria repeated the final feat four years later in Canada, the team was also in Group C. Coached by Peter Dedevbo, Nigeria were once again grouped against Mexico and England.
Just like in 2010, the Mexico-Nigeria match concluded in a 1-1 draw, while the Flaconets overcame England 2-1. Goals by Loveth Ayila and Oshoala downed the English ladies.
The other group encounter against South Korea finished 2-1 in favour of Nigeria. Courtney Dike and Chiwendu Ihezuo grabbed both goals.
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In the first knockout round, Devdebo’s charges recorded an emphatic 4-1 victory over New Zealand. The brilliant ladies even took it a step further in the semis, walloping North Korea 6-2 to seal a final berth against rivals Germany.
Oshoala netted four goals in the semis as Dike and Sunday Uchechi added further goals. The final didn’t go in the Falconets’ favour, losing yet again – this time a 1-0 defeat after extra time.
Following the Super Falcons’ qualification for next year’s Women’s World Cup, the attention of fans will now turn to the Falconets.
The current crop of players are raring to go and will hope to win the competition for the first time after several attempts. It should interest you to know that Nigeria have qualified for every edition of the tournament.
Ghana, who are Africa’s other representatives have qualified for the sixth time.
Coach Christopher Danjuma has selected 21 players to prosecute this World Cup. The list comprises three goalkeepers, six defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.
Nigeria’s first game against France will kick off at 12:00am Thursday morning. The second group match is against South Korea on Sunday, August 14 at 9pm. Danjuma’s charges will conclude their group games on Thursday (August 18) morning in the match versus Canada at 3am.
Demehin Oluwatosin, Deborah Abiodun, Flourish Sabastine and Joy Jerry are some of the Nigerian stars to watch out for.
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