In a triumphant display of skill and determination, the Nigerian U20 national women’s team, the Falconets, have clinched qualification for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
This achievement adds another chapter to their remarkable record of consistently qualifying for every edition of the tournament since its inception.
The Falconets sealed their place in the World Cup with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Burundi’s U20 in the fourth-round qualifier. The journey to qualification began with a first-leg victory at the Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where teen forward Janet Aikekoromowei netted the lone goal from the penalty spot.
In the return leg held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Saturday, the Falconets faced a resilient Burundi team. The breakthrough came in the 79th minute when substitute Mary Lucky Mkpa set up Ajakaye to score, securing a 2-0 aggregate win for Nigeria.
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With this triumph, Nigeria becomes the first African team to qualify for the 2024 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. The Falconets had a smooth path to qualification, receiving a walkover against Mauritius in the second round and defeating Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate in the third round.
Other African teams, including Cameroon, Ghana, and Morocco, have also secured advantages in their first-leg fixtures against Egypt, Senegal, and Ethiopia, respectively. Should they avoid defeats in the return legs, these teams will join Nigeria in representing the continent at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
