In the early hours of Monday, Nigeria’s Falconets secured a dramatic victory against the Korea Republic at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, thanks to a late goal by Flourish Sabastine.
In a match with few goal-scoring opportunities, the Nigerian team capitalized deep into stoppage time at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogotá. Despite a promising start from the Falconets, the Koreans came closest to opening the scoring in the 15th minute, with Shukurat Oladipo narrowly deflecting a dangerous cross from the right.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Shukurat Bakare, had a close call in the 28th minute when she misjudged a cross, but the South Korean forward failed to capitalize, sending the ball over the bar.
On the other end, Mkpa had a chance of her own but sent her shot just over the crossbar after a brilliant pass from Rofiat Imuran. Nigeria had another stroke of luck just before halftime when Korea’s Myeyung hit the crossbar with a 22-yard free-kick.
During the second half, Sabastine and Amina Bello had their shots blocked inside the Korean box, and substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu also came close with a promising run on the right but couldn’t finish.
When it seemed like the match was heading for a draw, Sabastine struck late, slicing the ball from the right wing and finding the back of the net off the upright for the decisive goal. The next match for Chris Danjuma’s team is against three-time champions, Germany who defeated Venezuela in the other Group D fixture.
