U20 WWC Nigeria 1 South Korea 0: Sabastine scores late winner to give Falconets all three points

The Falconets opened their 2024 Fifa U20 Women's World Cup campaign in the wee hours of Monday morning with a 1-0 victory over Korea Republic at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo.

Coach Christopher Danjuma named a strong, strong starting lineup that had talented fullback Rofiat Imuran and Jumoke Alani, who was part of the Super Falcons' 2024 Paris Olympics squad.

The first half ended goalless with both sides struggling to breach each other's goal.
The Falconets began the second half on a strong foot with Imuran trying to set up Mary Nkpa who couldn't take the advantage by putting the ball at the back of the net.

The left back was presented with an opportunity to also score from free-kick but blazed her effort over the goal post.

Few seconds later, Goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare almost committed a howler when she misjudged a free kick into the penalty area but the Koreans couldn't take the advantage.

Danjuma was forced to make an attacking substitute in the 66th minute, replacing Nkpa with Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.

He also made another alteration in the 79th minute, bringing on Goodness Osigwe for Aminat Bello.

Bae Ye-Bin came close to getting the opener with her effort from outside the penalty area but the ball sailed over the crossbar.

In the 85th minute, Nigeria eventually got the opener through Flourish Sabastine whose attempted cross incredibly became an attempt on goal, escaping the reach of the Korean goalkeeper Woo Seo-Bin before landing in goal.

Osigwe could have given the Falconets a two-goal cushion on the stroke of stoppage time, cutting to her left foot but couldn't find the bottom corner.

Nigeria will now face three-time World champions Germany on Wednesday in their next group game and a victory will guard their qualification for the next round.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: fifa.com 

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