Nigeria 3 Canada 1 : Onyenezide bags brace as Falconets set up quarterfinal clash with Netherlands

Nigeria topped Group C of the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica following their 3-1 win over Canada at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The Falconets went down two minutes into the game as goalkeeper Monle Oyono was punished by Kaila Novak who pounced on a sloppy buildup from the back.

The Nigerian side eager to finish the group in top position to avoid a potential meeting with holders Japan in the quarterfinals stepped up from that setback and dominated the game thereafter.

In the space of eight minutes, the Falconets won two penalties which were converted by Esther Onyenezide after the Australian referee Lara Lee had to consult the monitor.

The VAR had to overrule a decision after Mia Pante's red card was rescinded.

The Falconets went into the second half still the dominant side but Chiamaka Okwuchukwu was guilty of wasting a great chance to score when she directed a great cross from Jumoke Alani wide with an hour played.

Nigeria coach Christopher Danjuma's  introduction from the bench of Flourish Sabastine brought some urgency in the attack.

The efforts then paid off in added time as Rofiat Imudan's delightful low cross was finished at the near post by substitute Chioma Olise for Nigeria's third goal of the game.

The Falconets will face Netherlands in Sunday's second quarterfinals match at the same venue by 11.30pm Nigerian time.

Izuchukwu Michael

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