Chijioke Gabriel
The roar inside the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan told the story long before the final whistle. Nigeria’s Falconets, hungry and fearless, marched into the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup spotlight with a commanding 4–0 demolition of Rwanda’s She-Amavubi in their second-round, second-leg qualifier on Saturday.
From the very first minute, it was clear the visitors were facing more than just a football team — they were facing an orchestra of skill, pace, and determination. Precious Oscar struck the opening note in the 15th minute, sending the stands into wild jubilation as the Falconets took control of the evening. Five minutes later, Fatimoh Adesina curled in a majestic free-kick, doubling the advantage and tightening Nigeria’s grip on the tie.
Midway into the second half, Janet Akekoromowei hammered home a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, extending the lead to 3–0 and leaving Rwanda’s defense bewildered. The She-Amavubi nearly found consolation in the 79th minute, but goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, agile and commanding, pulled off a heroic save. Just as the clock ticked into stoppage time, Taiwo Afolabi iced the victory cake with the fourth goal, sealing Nigeria’s triumph and making it an unforgettable evening for the Ibadan faithful.
Head coach Moses Aduku hailed the Falconets’ discipline and technical growth, noting that the squad had carefully studied tapes of the first leg in Kigali. “We knew where to adjust, particularly in finishing, and the results are here for everyone to see,” he said proudly. On the opposite bench, Rwanda’s Andre Cassa-Mbungo conceded his players were outclassed but remained hopeful about their future: “These are mostly young girls; give them two or three years and Rwanda will rise again.”
The aggregate scoreline — 5–0 over both legs — now sends Nigeria into the third and final round of the qualifiers, where they will face either Senegal or Algeria. Victory there would hand the Falconets a ticket to the global stage, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled for 2026 in Poland.
For the Falconets, the journey is only beginning, but in Ibadan, under the bright lights and deafening chants, they reminded Africa that Nigeria’s young women remain an unstoppable force in the beautiful game. And with the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup beckoning, their eyes are fixed firmly on the ultimate prize.