BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Nigeria U-20 women the Falconets edged closer to reaching the FIFA U-20Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica as they defeated their Senegalese Counterparts 3-1 in the first leg of the final round.
The Falconets traveled to Thies in Senegal and snatched the vital win to put one hand on the ticket.
Nigeria were the better side from the onset and almost took the lead just three minutes of as Flourish Sabastine missed a sitter inside the Senegalese box.
Five minutes later, Sabastine atoned for her bluff as she scored the opener from a close range finish to put the Falconets in front.
The Falconets despite leading continued to pill up pressure on their host to double the lead but the first half ended 1-0.
The hosts came back from the dressing room after the team talk in search of the equalizer.
Hapsatou Diallo twice attempted to level matters for Senegalese side but to no avail.
Her first attempt came off the crossbar and second was half but goalkeeper Oyono had to make a fine save to keep the score line 1-0.
The Falconets almost doubled the lead in the 55th but Mercy Idoko’s header inside the box could not enter the net as it went wide.
Idoko later provided an assist in the 56th minute for Sabastine who tapped in for her second goal of the game.
Five minutes later, Sabastine netted her hat trick from the spot after the referee awarded a penalty to the host in the 58th minute.
The Falconets continued to explore every opportunity to increase keep scoring but missed the chance to do as they were looking to also maintain their unblemished record of not conceding a goal since the qualifier.
In the 82nd minute, hat trick heroine, Sabastine set up substitute Taiwo Lawal for the fourth but the latter’s effort went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Khady Faye.
Falconets goalkeeper, Goalkeeper Oyono upended Senegal player Wolimata Ndiaye inside the box as the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Adji Ndiaye stepped up and scored from the spot to give the host something to cheer about as the first team to score against the Falconets in the ongoing African qualifiers.
Nigeria will be hoping to wrap up matters when they host Senegal in the second leg on March 26 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
