Nigeria’s Falconets produced their biggest-ever win at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, hammering debutants New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match in Łódź, Poland, to book their place in the Round of 16.
The Falconets entered the fixture knowing only a big win would guarantee progression, having taken just one point from their opening two games, a 2-0 defeat to Spain and a goalless draw with China. They wasted no time settling the nerves, scoring four goals inside the first 27 minutes.
Ramotalahi Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, before Rebecca Adegbemile doubled the lead two minutes later. Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei added a third in the 23rd minute, and Kareem struck again in the 27th to make it 4-0.
Nigeria continued to pour forward after the break, with Winner Onajite David making it 5-0 in the 60th minute as the rout gathered pace. New Caledonia’s only reply came through Joceline Kourevi in the 89th minute, a consolation that did little to dampen Nigeria’s dominant display.
Kareem and David both finished the match with hat-tricks, while Adegbemile added a brace, as Nigeria’s 10-1 scoreline eclipsed anything the Falconets had previously managed at the tournament.
The result sends Nigeria into the knockout stage as second-placed finishers in Group F, continuing a proud tournament history that includes runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2014, and qualification for every edition since the competition’s inception in 2002.
Head coach Moses Aduku had urged his players to be ruthless in front of goal ahead of the match, and the Falconets delivered emphatically, setting up an exciting Round of 16 tie as they push for a first-ever world title.
The Falconets are the only African team left in the tournament after the exit of Ghana, Republic of Benin and Tanzania in the group stage.
