NIGERIA’s Falconets took a big step towards securing a ticket to the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with an impressive 3-1 win over Senegal in Thies on Saturday evening.
The two-time global runners-up are now in a comfortable position ahead of the second leg of the final round of qualification for the tournament.
Edo Queens winger Flourish Sebastine scored all of the Falconets’ goals, hitting a superb hat-trick at the Stade Lat-Dior to take the Nigerian girls within 90 minutes of flying Africa’s flag in Costa Rica in five months’ time.
Flourish started the scoring in the ninth minute, and then struck twice in the second half as Senegal, who reached this stage after penalty shoot-out victory over Mali in the fourth round, succumbed to Nigeria’s superiority.
Togolese referee Vincenta Amedome awarded the hosts a penalty in the 89th minute after captain Oluwatosin Demehin had tripped a Senegalese forward in the Nigerian box.
The spot kick was converted but it appeared to be too little, too late ahead of the return leg in Nigeria.
The reverse fixture will be held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday, 26 March.
