The Nigeria women’s U-20 team had a winning start during the 10th FIFA U20 World Cup in Costa Rica on Friday morning as they battled to a 1-0 win over France in their first Group C match.
Flourish Sabastine, the top scorer in the African qualifying team, was the heroine against France. Her powerful strike in the 85th minute was enough to give Chris Danjuma’s side the maximum three points on offer.
The Falconets, two-time runners-up in the competition, conquered torrential rain, an hour delay and more rain to defeat Europe’s top team, France, 1-0 in their group opener.
Due to the rain, the Mexican referee Francia Gonzales opted to stop the game in the 20th minute as visibility was becoming impossible for both teams. The game stopped for almost 1 hour. Eight minutes after the match resumed, Magnaba Folquet desperately headed the ball away from goal as Nigeria pushed forward.
In the 43rd minute, Nigeria skipper Oluwatosin Demehin and France defender Kysha Sylla were warned for a measure of intensity.
In the second half, both teams fought even more challenging. Two minutes before the whistle, Mercy Idoko failed to connect properly at the end of a smooth team move. Twenty minutes later, goalkeeper Oyono Omini provided a critical block in an important area as France moved forward.
During the game’s last minutes, they attacked with their full potential and defended constantly.
Substitute Jade Nassi thought she put France ahead when she followed a corner kick in the 80th minute. Still, referee Gonzales consulted the Video Assistant Referee, which correctly ruled out the strike for a foul on Omini.
The Falconets’ will play their next game against the Korea Republic at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto on Sunday. Victory over France assures Nigeria’s place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
