U-20 W’Cup: Nigeria to face Japan in round of 16

By : Guardian Editor

Date: 10 September 2024 3:35am WAT

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 1: Hanbin Choi of Korea Republic (L) fights for the ball with Philomina Yina of Nigeria (R) during a Group D match between Nigeria and Korea Republic as part of FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo on September 1, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo by Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

The Super Falconets will lock horns with tournament favourite, Japan in the knockout stage of the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Coach Christopher Danjuma-tutored side will file out against their Asian opponent at Estadio Metropolitano de Bogota on Friday, September 13.

Goals by Amina Bello, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Flourish Sabastine and substitute Joy Igbokwe against Venezuela in Cali last Saturday took two-time silver medallists Nigeria to the Round of 16 of the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

Nigeria finished second behind Germany in the group with six, having edged South Korea in their opening match that was followed by a 3-1 loss to the Germans, who secured maximum points.

They now face a Japan team, which is one of the most formidable teams in the tournament, having scored a whopping 13 goals and conceded just one en route to the round of 16. Japan demolished New Zealand by 7 goals to nil, thrashed Ghana by 4 goals to 1, and Austria by two goals to nothing.

In other rounds of 16 fixtures, Spain will face Canada while Brazil will trade tackles with another African side, Cameroon. Host Colombia will be up against South Korea as Mexico faces a daunting task against the USA. North Korea will rub shoulders with Austria while Germany locks horns with Argentina. The biggest fixture of the round will be between the Netherlands and France.