Nigeria’s Falconets has stormed into the Round of 16 of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Saturday, demolishing New Caledonia 10-1 in Poland to record the biggest victory in the team’s history at the tournament.
Ramotalahi Kareem and Winner Onajite David each struck hat-tricks, while Rebecca Adegbemile bagged a brace as Nigeria ran riot from start to finish.
Kareem opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 17th minute before Adegbemile doubled the lead two minutes later. Janet Seimeyeha Akekoromowei and Kareem again added further goals before the break to send Nigeria into half-time firmly in control.
The Falconets continued to pour forward after the restart. David netted twice in five second-half minutes, before Kareem completed her treble and Tosin Rafiu joined the scoring spree.
Read also on New Daily Prime:Falconets to face must-win clash with China in U-20 World Cup
Falconets drawn in Group F with Spain, China at Poland 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup
Falconets defeats Malawi to Qualify for 2026 U-20 women’s world cup
David rounded off his hat-trick deep into stoppage time, sandwiching a late consolation goal from New Caledonia’s Joceline Kourevi.
The result lifted Nigeria to second place in Group F on four points, level with China PR but ahead on goal difference, behind group winners Spain who finished with nine points. New Caledonia exited the tournament winless and without a point.
Nigeria closed the group stage with one win, one draw and one loss, scoring 10 goals and conceding just three a return that secures their place among the last 16 teams.
The Falconets now add another chapter to a rich history at the tournament. Nigeria remains the only African nation to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since it began in 2002, and ranks among the competition’s most successful sides.
The team finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2014, reached the semi-finals in 2012, and advanced to the quarter-finals in 2006, 2018 and 2022. At the last edition in Colombia in 2024, Nigeria opened with a win over Korea Republic and progressed to the Round of 16 before bowing out to Japan.
