10-player Falconets bow out of World Cup

Nigeria Women’s U-20 team, the Falconets, were ousted from the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday after a late 1-0 loss to Colombia in their quarter-final clash at Lodz, Poland.

Valerin Loboa netted in the second minute of added time to see Colombia through to the semis after the Falconets had kept their opponents goalless for 90 minutes.

They had several scares as Janet Akekoromowei went close in the 19th minute when her effort from the edge of the box struck the crossbar.

Tumininu Adeshina also had a chance in the 38th minute as Colombia goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo pushed her low drive over the bar.

Nigeria pressed on after the interval with Tosin Rafiu, Akekoromowei and Onyedikachi Ekezie all involved in the attacking third before they suffered a blow in the 77th minute when Kafayat Mafisere was shown a straight red card for fouling Samantha Rodriguez.

The setback did not derail the Falconets, who played the remaining five minutes down to 10 men, frustrating Colombia with their attacking verve while the Colombians sought to kill the game on the break.

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Loboa was first to react as she raced onto a through ball; her first shot was blocked by Nigeria goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma, but she scored with the rebound to decide the tie.

NFF Acting General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme praised the players effusively, saying they gave their best in the tie.

“You gave your best out there, and the NFF and every Nigerian watching saw that you held nothing back,” Ikpeme told the players.

He said Nigeria created enough chances to win the game but urged the team not to be disheartened by the loss.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, Chioma Ohakim, also praised the players for their efforts and tenacity in the tournament.

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