Nigeria 1-0 South Korea: Flourish Sabastine late strike seals opening win for Falconets

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria edged their counterparts from South Korea in their first match of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogota, in the early hours of Monday.

An 86th minute goal from France-based Flourish Sabastine sealed a crucial win for Christopher Danjuma’s side.

Opportunities were few and far between in a game between two strong squads not unfamiliar with themselves, but Nigeria had more chances, particularly in a more entertaining second half.

Forward Mary Lucky Mkpa was full of endeavour and with some precision, should have put away at least two of the opportunities.

The Asians, who also lost by a lone goal to Nigeria in a group phase encounter at the last edition of the competition in Costa Rica two years ago, came close to drawing the first blood on the quarter-hour, but Shukurat Oladipo got one foot to a teasing cross from the right to wrong-foot Park.

Nigeria goalkeeper Shukurat Bakare missed a pull-out altogether in the 28th minute but the Korean touch took the ball over the sticks, and at the other end, Mkpa heaved the ball a little too high after a pass by Rofiat Imuran.

Nigeria’s blushes were saved just before halftime when Myeyung rocked the crossbar from a 22-yard free-kick.

In the second half, Sabastine and Amina Bello saw their shots blocked in the opposition box, and substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu came close from a good run on the right, before Sabastine sliced the ball from the right wing to smack the upright and roll into the net for the game’s only goal.

Nigeria’s next opponent, Germany, on the other hand, defeated Venezuela 5-2 to move to the top of Group D on superior goals scored.

The two-time beaten finalists, Nigeria, seats in the second position ahead of their clash with the Germans on September 4, 2024.

Germany was responsible for Nigeria’s two losses in the final of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010 and 2014, respectively.