Falconets reign supreme over Princesses

Accra, May 30, GNA - An improved second half performance aided Nigeria's U-20 football team, Falconets to come from two goals down to beat their Ghanaian counterparts 3-2 on Friday in the first leg of the final round of the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers.

The result saw Nigeria proving their superiority once again over Ghana in women's football as they inched closer to their fourth appearance at the global championships since 2002. Backed by a youthful crowd at the El-Wak Stadium, it was the Princesses who started off on a bright note with striker Anita Amankwah of Black Queens fame leading the onslaught. Amankwah proved a tough customer for the Nigerian rearguard and succeeded in breaking the deadlock after nine minutes when she delivered a curling shot beyond the reach of the Nigerian goalie Egwuenu Marbel after being fed by Agnes Adukwa.

The goal, reminiscent of Black Stars attacker Haminu Dramani's strike against USA during the 2006 FIFA World Cup further saw the Princesses maintain their dominance. Captain Diana Ankomah made it two at 31 minutes with a spectacular volley which beat Marbel.

The Falconets also tasted some minutes of dominance but Princesses' goalkeeper Mary Neequaye went to her side's rescue in the 35th minute, as she handled Rebecca Kalu's effort at goal with ease. Nigeria coach, Dan Evumena introduced Saheed Sherifat and Orji Ebere in the second half and it worked to perfection. The duo brought some bite into Falconets' attack and they weaved often into the Ghanaian half.

The sudden decline in the performance of the Princesses compelled the likes of Jones Alhassan Abu (GFA Executive Committee Member) and veteran trainer Fred Osam Doudu to offer some tips to the Ghanaian bench, but it was all in vain.

Orji reduced the tally on 66 minutes from a goal mouth action before Sarah Michael drew parity five minutes from time. Kalu stunned the home crowd three minutes from time by connecting home a cross from Rita Chikwelu after making a mince of the Ghanaian defence to put Nigeria on top for the first time. The Falconets still held on to possession, leaving the Ghanaians chasing their shadows till Togolese referee Amegee Aissate brought proceedings to an end.

The winner of the second leg, fixed for June 15 in Abuja grabs one of Africa's two tickets for the fourth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be staged in Chile in November.

Ghana Line up Mary Neequaye, Priscilla Annor, Lydia Kwateng, Elizabeth Cudjoe, Portia Boakye, Juliet Acheampong, Agnes Adukwa, Diana Ankomah, Anita Amankwah, Grace Asare, Evelyn Amaning/Silla Owusu/Florence Dadson

Nigeria Line up Egwuemu Marbel, Esther Michael, Ewhubare Doris, Onyiyechi Nkaonu, Onyiyechi Ohadugha, Jegede Joy, Ishola Tawa/Saheed Sherifat, Rita Chikwelu, Sarah Michael, Kalu Rebecca, Chukwudi Ogonnah/Orji Ebere 30 May 2008