Falconets Punish Ghana for Past Defeat with 3-1 Win

Nigeria’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, began their WAFU B U20 Girls Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over defending champions Ghana in Adjohoun, Benin Republic, on Saturday morning.

After losing to Ghana in last year’s final, the Falconets entered this match with quiet determination—and it showed. Star striker Janet Akekoromowei fired Nigeria ahead with two first-half goals before Favour Chiamaka sealed the win with a spectacular strike from a corner kick late in the game.

Ghana, who had beaten hosts Benin 2-0 in the opener on Friday, looked tired as Nigeria dominated from the start. Their control paid off in the 37th minute when Akekoromowei converted from the penalty spot after a foul in the box. Just before halftime, she added her second, dancing past her marker and calmly lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 at the break.

The Black Princesses came out stronger in the second half and reduced the deficit five minutes after the restart, setting up a tense period as both teams created chances. The Falconets’ defence stayed resolute, with their goalkeeper making several crucial saves to protect the lead.

Any hopes of a Ghana comeback ended in the 88th minute when Chiamaka bent a corner directly into the net—a moment of brilliance that restored Nigeria’s two-goal cushion and sealed a deserved win.

The result sends Nigeria to the top of the three-team table with three points and a +2 goal difference, ahead of Ghana and hosts Benin. The Falconets face Benin next on Sunday before meeting Ghana again on Tuesday, with the mini-tournament concluding on November 12.