U20WWCq: Burundi 0-1 Nigeria: Akeroromowei helps Falconets put one foot in Colombia

By Samuel Ahmadu

Nigeria secured a crucial 1-0 away win over Burundi in the first leg of the fourth round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup at the Azam Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

The Falconets required Janet Akeroromowei’s first half goal from a penalty spot to claim the bragging rights over Hirondelles on adopted ground in the Tanzania capital.

The nervy triumph puts Christopher Danjuma’s side in a promising position to qualification for the global finals.

The Falconets had scaled past Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate to reach the third round of the qualifying series and almost hit the ground running with an early opportunity from the spot which was missed by Chiamaka Okechukwu.

A second chance from the spot fell in the lap of Akeroromowei and the Asisat Oshoala Academy product made no mistake to convert his second goal for the country and secure the matchwinner on the brink of half time.

The return leg is scheduled for Saturday January 20, 2024, with the winners joining three others to qualify as African representatives for the U20 Women’s World Cup.

The final phase of this FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024™ will take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

Colombia has already hosted a FIFA tournament: the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the men’s leaning of the women’s competition which will take place in 2024, and the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Countries already qualified: Germany, Austria, Canada, Colombia (host country), Costa Rica, Spain, United States, Fiji, France, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands.

In total, four teams from the AFC, four from CAF, four from Concacaf and four from CONMEBOL (plus hosts Colombia) will participate in the tournament, as well as two from OFC and five from UEFA.