With Nigeria seeking a semifinal appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, the Falconets have already put their Round of 16 win against England behind them as they look forward to the game against Colombia on Sunday.
Nigeria defeated England 3-0 in their last match and will be hoping to get another win against Colombia on Sunday, today for a spot in the final four.
The two-time runners-up return to the familiar hunting grounds in Łódź, and with history in their favour having beaten the South Americans 1-0 in the semi-final stage of the 2010 edition, when Ebere Orji scored after only two minutes in Bielefeld, Germany and the Nigerian girls held on to the advantage till the end.
That win, which took the Falconets into their first final appearance and podium performance in any FIFA-organised women’s football championship, came on the back of an extraordinary triumph over the United States of America in Augsburg. Helen Ukaonu fired Nigeria’s equalizer 11 minutes from time, and Ukaonu, Joy Jegede, Esther Sunday and Desire Oparanozie scored in the ensuing penalty shoot-out to give Nigeria victory.
Sunday’s clash with the Colombians in Łódź is also coming on the back of a soul-lifting performance, with the Nigerian girls still relishing a three-goal defeat of England’s Young Lionesses in the Round of 16.
Head Coach Moses Aduku insists his girls will not go into the Municipal Stadium with any sense of achievement or over-confidence.
“It will be unwise for us to keep thinking of the win over England,” he said
“That match is gone and we already cut short our celebration immediately after in the dressing room to focus on the encounter with Colombia. The Colombians sent out the host nation and will not be a walk-in-the-park for us.
“We must put our best foot forward, contest every ball and go for victory. The girls realise that this is an extraordinary opportunity for them to write their names in gold in Nigeria football.”
