By Teddy Nwanunobi
Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, will face the winners of Group E, The Young Lionesses of England, on Thursday, after thrashing New Caledonia 10-1 in their final Group F match at the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Sunday.
The emphatic victory at the Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź secured Nigeria’s passage to the round of 16, and recorded the team’s biggest winning margin in the tournament so far.
Winner David led the scoring with a hat-trick, finding the net in the hour mark, 75th minute and stoppage-time.
Ramotalahi Kareem, Rebecca Adegbeimile and Tosin Rafiu also scored for Nigeria, while New Caledonia’s Joceline Kourevi scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute.
The Falconets dominated proceedings, particularly in the second half, creating a series of chances as they overwhelmed the New Caledonian defence.
From the hour mark, Nigeria mounted sustained pressure, with Janet Akekoromowei, Amber Ogbolu and Kareem among those threatening the opposition goal.
Set pieces also played a key role, with Tumininu Adeshina and Rafiu delivering a series of corners that kept New Caledonia under pressure.
Head Coach, Moses Aduku, made changes to maintain the team’s intensity, introducing Ogbolu, Victory Lucky and Bright Effiong Etim in the 62nd and 79th minutes.
The substitutions helped Nigeria sustain the tempo and contributed to the late surge that produced more goals.
Nigeria had earlier lost 2-0 to Spain, and played out a goalless draw against China in their first and second games, respectively.
The result took the Falconets to four points from three matches and confirmed their second-place finish in Group F.
Nigeria will face England, winners of Group E, in the round of 16 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has commended the Falconets for their performance against New Caledonia.
“The Presidency through the National Sports Commission, the NFF and Nigerian Football stakeholders, and I believe all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, are very proud of the outing of the Falconets against New Caledonia.
“They showed the true Nigeria spirit and overcame the odds when it mattered most. The result has taken them to the Round of 16, and we believe the team can only get better. I charge them to sustain the win-mentality and go all the way,” Ikpeme said.
The result also ended New Caledonia’s campaign without a point.
The tournament debutants had already suffered heavy defeats against China and Spain and were unable to withstand Nigeria’s sustained pressure in their final group appearance.
Falconets’ 10-goal haul not only secured the required result but also transformed Nigeria’s goal difference, which proved crucial in determining their progression from a tightly contested group.
The result advanced Spain, Nigeria, and China to round of 16.
The results leave Spain at the top of Group F with nine points and 15-goal difference, while Nigeria occupy second position with four points and plus seven goal difference.
China dropped to third position with four points and plus three goal difference, and New Caledonia are at the bottom without a point, but with a minus 25 goal difference.
In another match played on Sunday, Spain beat China 3-1.
The 2026 edition, which commenced on September 5, is expected to end on September 27.
