Former Super Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche, has tipped the Falconets to fly the Nigerian flag high in the Americas after their heroics at the ongoing U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
The impressive Falconets reached the quarter-finals of the competition after they overcame France 1-0 in their opening Group C tie on Friday, before another 1-0 win over South Korea on Sunday.
They then made it three wins from three games, after a 3-1 win over Canada on Thursday morning.
The Falconets, Africa’s best team, conceded their first goal of the competition in an accidental manner, following goalkeeper Omini Oyono’s poor management of a back pass from Jumoke Alani, which granted Kala Novak a fortuitous goal in less than two minutes.
But midfield impresario Esther Onyenezide, whose vicious curling shot earned all three points against Korea, scored from the penalty spot in the 24th minute to pull the Falconets level, after Canadian Mia Pante handled the ball from a Blessing Okpe shot in the box.
Onyenezide shot the Nigerians ahead, also from the spot, in the 32nd minute, after Simi Awujo’s – who has Nigerian parents – poor tackle on Mercy Idoko, as the latter went for a header from Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger, was penalised.
Imuran, again with a visionary cross, set up substitute Chioma Olise for Nigeria’s third goal in added time.
Uche, a former captain and coach of the Super Falcons tipped the two-time finalists of the competition to match their previous feat or surpass it.
“The Falconets have reached the semi-finals of the U-20 Women’s World Cup and it is expected of them to attain that feat or even surpass it. So, I believe they can do it again,” Uche told The PUNCH.
“This is not the time to respect any country; they should not look at big names, but go all out and deliver. We have good girls in that category, who are willing to make the nation proud. Nothing less is expected from them than to make the nation proud.”
Uche, however, warned Danjuma’s side not to get distracted in the knockout stage.
“In competitions like this, the higher you go the tougher it becomes. They should not lose focus. I believe in them getting to the final and winning the tournament. They should not be carried away with the praises they are getting.”
Another ex-Falcons star Stella Mbachu also urged the team to focus on their goal at the tournament.
“My advice is for them to remain focused and not lose the purpose of participating in the tournament. The girls have been playing together right from the qualifiers and I will urge them to stay determined and focused,” Mbachu said.
