Falconets Edge South Africa 2 – 1 In U-20 Womens World Cup Qualifier

By Chris Nomjov

Nigeria’s Under-20 women football team, the Falconets, on Saturday in Abuja, defeated their South African counterparts, the Basetsana, 2-1 in the first leg match of the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), goals from Kanu Grace in the 27th minute and Kalu Patience on the store of half time, capped off a perfect half for the Dedevbo girls.

However, the Basetsana of South Africa got a vital away goal through a penalty in the added time, converted by Gabriela Salgado with Jersey 11.

Speaking after the match, Falconets’ Chief Coach, Peter Dedevbo, said he was not satisfied with the result.

“I am not satisfied with the result and but I am not disappointed; my team would have done better. Though they did their best, I cannot tell what happened.

“The girls are very fit, I don’t have fitness problem with the girls and I hope they will play better in South Africa.

“We are not going to play defensive game in South Africa, we will play attack, this will make them come out and remain in the midfield,’’ he said.

Dedevbo assured Nigerians that “there is no cause for alarm, all is well.

The Head Coach of South Africa, Elizabeth Migchelsen, however, expressed satisfaction with the result and hoped that her team would beat Nigeria in the second leg.

“I am feeling good with the result. We missed our three starts due to injuries and I think we have a chance to beat Nigeria at home with our full team.

Migchelsen said that there was no surprise from the Nigerian team, adding that the team played what was expected.