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Nigeria’s Falconets will try to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup on today when they meet Colombia at the Municipal Stadium in Łódź, fresh from a 3-0 dismantling of England.
Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei and Mary Mamudu scored in Thursday’s Round of 16 win in Bielsko-Biała. Mamudu has been in form for weeks, having also scored against hosts Poland and South Korea in pre-tournament friendlies.
Goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma was outstanding in a fierce first half, making six big saves, including a penalty. She will again be key on Sunday.
The two-time runners-up have history on their side against the South Americans. They beat Colombia 1-0 in the 2010 semi-final in Bielefeld, Germany, through an Ebere Orji goal after just two minutes, and held on to reach their first final in a FIFA women’s competition.
That run also included a dramatic quarter-final win over the United States in Augsburg. Helen Ukaonu equalised 11 minutes from time, and she, Joy Jegede, Esther Sunday and Desire Oparanozie converted in the penalty shoot-out.
Colombia, who knocked out Poland 1-0 on Thursday, will be no pushovers. Head Coach Moses Aduku has warned his players against complacency.
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“That match is gone, and we already cut short our celebration to focus on Colombia,” Aduku said.
“They sent out the host nation and will not be a walk in the park for us.”
He added that the players know this is a chance to “write their names in gold” in Nigerian football.
The squad looked confident at Saturday’s official training, which coincided with the Nigeria Football Federation paying outstanding daily allowances to players and officials.
NFF Acting General Secretary Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme also gave the players a personal token of appreciation and urged them to keep up their mentality since the 0-0 draw with China in their second match.
“Tough teams get tougher when the going gets tough,” Ikpeme said, expr
