Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets endured a tough night on Wednesday as they fell 3-1 to Germany in their second group game of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
The match, played at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota, saw the Falconets put up a valiant fight but ultimately fall short to a well-organized German side.
Coming off a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea in their opening game, the Falconets were hopeful of securing another positive result. However, missed opportunities and lapses in defense cost them dearly.
Germany, with two goals in the final half-hour, secured a 3-1 victory that left the Nigerian players ruing their missed chances.
Early missed opportunities
Nigeria had a golden opportunity to take an early lead just two minutes into the match.
After pressing high and winning the ball, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu found herself one-on-one with German goalkeeper Rebecca Adamczyk, but her effort was easily saved, leaving the Falconets frustrated.
Germany soon responded with pressure of their own, coming close to scoring in the 10th minute, before breaking the deadlock seven minutes later when Alara Sehitler capitalized on a well-delivered cross, heading the ball past Nigerian goalkeeper Shukura Bakare, who had come off her line in an attempt to claim the ball.
Germany continued to create chances after their opener, but the Falconets had another opportunity to level the game in first-half stoppage time.
The impressive Imuran surged down the left, but her tame effort was comfortably saved by Adamczyk, denying Nigeria a much-needed equalizer.
A brief resurgence, followed by late heartbreak
Five minutes into the second half, Nigeria found their way back into the game. A defensive mix-up between Jella Veit and Adamczyk allowed Okwuchukwu to pounce and slot the ball into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
However, Germany quickly regained control. In the 61st minute, Sofie Zdebel nudged the ball past Bakare from a teasing cross, with two Nigerian defenders caught out of position. Despite their best efforts, the Falconets struggled to clear their lines and paid the price.
Nigeria tried to press for the equalizer and Okwuchukwu thought she had equalized for once again, but her goal was ruled out for offside, deflating the Falconets' hopes.
As the match drew to a close, Germany added a third in stoppage time, Sarah Ernst’s powerful header sealing the 3-1 victory for the Germans.
What’s next for Falconets?
With three points from two games, the Falconets now turn their attention to their final group-stage match against Venezuela on Saturday.
Nigeria currently sits second in Group D, and a win or even a draw against Venezuela will be enough to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
The Falconets must now regroup and focus on their next challenge, knowing that their World Cup hopes still hang in the balance.
A more clinical display in front of goal and tighter defense will be key to their progression in the tournament.
