Nigeria’s Under 20 Women’s football team, the Falconets on Sunday defeated Burundi 1-0 in the first leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round fixture played in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Nigeria will now face Burundi in the second leg encounter at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Jan. 20, for the final leg of the qualifying series.
The winner of the two-legged encounter would qualify as one of Africa’s four representatives at this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals scheduled to hold in Colombia, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 22.
In the match played, Janet Akekoromowei scored from the penalty spot in added time in the first half to secure victory for the 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists.
The Burundians ended the encounter with only 10 women following a red card shown to defender Ariella Umuarerwa for a rough tackle.
The goal by Akekoromowei who plays for Asisat Oshoala Academy in Lagos gave Nigeria the maximum three points away from home.
The Nigerian girls created more scoring chances but could convert them to increase the tally, as the Burundians stood their grounds not to allow in more goals.
Nigeria has qualified for all but one edition since the competition started as FIFA U-19 Women’s Championship back in 2002 in Canada, where Nigeria crashed out in the preliminary stage.
