U-20 Women’s World Cup: How Nigeria walloped England 3-0, book quarter-final ticket

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in-Chief                                                                                              Nigeria’s Falconets were in devastating mood as they defeated England 3-0 today in
Łódź in the Round of 16 tie of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland with goals from midfielder Tosin Rafiu; forward Janet Akekoromowei and substitute Mary Mamudu to send Nigeria send into the quarter-finals stage of the tournament.

The coach Moses Aduku led team produced yet another strong attacking performance in Łódź, with Rafiu, Akekoromowei and Mamudu getting on the scoresheet as Nigeria recorded their second win of the tournament.

Rafiu put Nigeria ahead in the 8′ to give the West Africans a perfect start as she scored her second goal of the tournament but the English girls responded by creating opportunities of their own, but Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma stood firm.

Nigeria continued to stay in the game with
Uzoma producing important saves especially one from England’s forward Princess Ademiluyi’s effort in the 26′ just as she made the biggest save of the first half.

Not done yet, she stepped up when England were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, giving them an opportunity to equalise but Uzoma saved Rachel Maltby’s penalty, preserving Nigeria’s 1-0 lead heading into the half time.

On resumption, Nigeria again started like a house on fire as it took only two minutes for reliable goalpoacher
Akekoromowei to find the back of the net to double Nigeria’s advantage in the 47′ minute.

England attempted to respond, but Nigeria continued to create opportunities and remained a threat going forward as substitute Mamudu completed the scoring
Moses Aduku introduced Mary Mamudu in the 61′ and minutes after replacing forward Ramotalahi Kareem, the substitute scored Nigeria’s third goal in the 73′ with fellow attacker Precious Oscar providing the assist.

The goal effectively sealed the hope of England’s comeback and gave Nigeria a 3-0 goal advantage.

Mamudu was among the four substitutes introduced by coach Aduku, with others being Victory Lucky, Winner Onajite David and Folajomi Olabiyi who ensured that Nigeria ran away with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over England.