Nigeria Qualify For FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

thecloudngr

Nigeria Qualify For FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024—-Nigeria’s Under 20 Women’s football team, the Falconets have booked a place in the finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled to hold in Colombia, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Falconets qualified for the World Cup after defeating their counterparts from Burundi by a lone goal in the second leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round fixture.

The match which was played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, saw Opeyemi Ajakaye scoring the only goal of the encounter in the 79th minute.

The goal handed Nigeria a 2-0 aggregate victory in the final round of the qualifying round, having won the first leg also by a lone goal in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Jan. 14.

The Nigerian girls created opportunity after opportunity but failed to convert them to make their vast superiority count.

As early as the second minute, Ajakaye, who was the top scorer for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup bronze-winning Flamingos in 2022, volleyed wide when it appeared easier to score.

Chiamaka Okwuchukwu swung the ball into the visitors’ box from the wing 13 minutes later, but the team’s leading scorer, Janet Akekoromowei, failed to convert the opportunity .

It was Okwuchukwu’s turn to miss in the 34th minute when she could not convert a pull-out by Ajakaye.

Eight minutes after the break, Ajakaye went on a solo run into the visitors’ eighteen-yard box, only to end up with a weak shot that was easily collected by goalkeeper Amissa Inarukundo.

The visitors defence was broken again in the 90th minute by Ajakaye, who made hay with an assist by Akekoromowei to net a second goal which did not stand.

The lone goal by Ajakaye ensured that Nigeria emerged as one of Africa’s four representatives at the tournament later this year.

Nigeria has always featured at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since it was launched as an Under 19 tournament in Canada 22 years ago.

The Falconets finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2014, while reaching the semi-finals in Japan in 2012.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Up Next

Leading UK Boarding Schools Return To Abuja

Don't Miss

Navy Hands Over Smack, 13 Crew Members To Fisheries Department

Click to comment

Sports

BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal

Published

1 week ago

May 30, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal—-French champions edge Gunners 4-3 on penalties in Budapest to secure back-to-back European crowns.

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna. PSG became only the second club in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy in successive seasons.

Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when Kai Havertz fired the Premier League champions into an early lead in the sixth minute, giving Mikel Arteta’s side hope of winning the club’s first-ever Champions League title.

The holders responded in the second half, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé converting a penalty in the 65th minute after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, bringing PSG level and setting up a tense finish.

Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or extra time, forcing the final into a dramatic penalty shootout. PSG held their nerve from the spot, while Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive penalty, blasting his effort over the crossbar.

The victory caps another remarkable European campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who reached the final after eliminating FC Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and entered the showpiece as defending champions.

For Arsenal, the defeat is a heartbreaking end to an otherwise historic season. Arteta’s men arrived in Budapest having won their first Premier League title in 22 years and reached their first Champions League final since 2006, but they fell just short of completing a memorable double.

PSG’s triumph further cements their place among Europe’s elite, while Arsenal will be left to reflect on a campaign that brought domestic glory but ended in European heartbreak.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Sports

BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield

Published

1 week ago

May 30, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield—-Dutch manager leaves despite Premier League success as Reds begin search for new direction.

Liverpool FC have reportedly parted ways with manager Arne Slot after two seasons in charge at Anfield. Reports on Friday indicated that the club decided to make a managerial change following an internal review of a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Slot’s departure comes just a year after he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, becoming the first Dutch manager to win England’s top flight.

However, Liverpool endured a difficult title defence campaign, finishing outside the title race and facing criticism over inconsistent performances throughout the season. Reports suggest the club’s hierarchy concluded that a fresh direction was needed ahead of the new campaign.

The Dutch coach leaves Anfield with mixed memories — delivering the club’s 20th league title but struggling to maintain momentum during his second season.

Several reports have linked former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as a leading candidate to replace Slot, although Liverpool are yet to officially announce a successor.

Slot, who arrived in 2024 following the departure of legendary manager Jürgen Klopp, oversaw 113 matches during his tenure and leaves having secured one Premier League title and a place in Liverpool’s recent history.

Tributes from supporters have already begun appearing online, with many thanking the Dutchman for delivering league glory during his time on Merseyside.

thecloudngr