- Safiu Kehinde
Nigeria’s Under-20 female national team, Falconets, have bowed out of the ongoing 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.
The Falconets who had last week advanced to the quarterfinals after an emphatic 3-0 victory against England faced Colombia on Sunday in Poland.
They were however humbled by the South American nation who advanced to the last four courtesy a 92nd minute goal from Valerin Loboa.
While Nigeria held Colombia to a goalless draw at halftime, the Falconets however suffered a huge setback after midfielder, Kafayat Mafisere, picked up a red card in the 92nd minute.
The 10-woman Falconets tried to keep the opportunist Colombians at bay and extend the game to possible penalty shootouts.
Loboa’s dying minute goal however crashed the Falconets’ hope of qualification.