By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria strolled to a 3-0 win over Benin Republic in the second semi-final of the ongoing WAFU B U20 Women Championship in Kumasi, Ghana on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
The victory meant the Nigerian team have booked their ticket to the final match scheduled for Saturday at the same Baba Yara Stadium.
Falconets’ Easy Ride To Final
Expectedly, the World Cup quarter-finalists didn’t have to break much sweat on the night, with Amina Omowunmi Bello putting them in front in the 23rd minute of the game.
Precocious attacking midfielder Esther Onyenezide hit a brace, scoring first in the 34th and then in the 52nd minute to put daylight between both teams in Ghana’s second city.
Nigeria’s Chinyere Kalu was selected as Most Valuable Player of the Match.
Ghana’s Match Up
Hosts Ghana won the first semi-final match, defeating Burkina Faso’s Dames 3-1 to reach the final on Saturday.
Long-Age Rivalry
Saturday’s final jangles the bell of the interesting rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria at all levels of the game, and the hosts would wish they could stop the 19-goal Falconets who are already looking like champions-in-waiting.
Tournament top scorer Opeyemi Ajakaye did not add to her tally on Wednesday night, but Saturday’s final is a great opportunity for her to raise her total haul for the championship.
