Costa Rica 2022: Nigeria v Senegal - First ticket or record tenth berth?
Senegal confront Nigeria on Saturday at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, as the African qualifiers for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup, Costa Rica 2022 reaches the last fixture.
While Senegal reached the final stage of the 40-team qualifiers as one of the fast-rising women's football nations after upsetting Morocco, Nigeria cruised into the final phase in style and are on the brink of securing a record extension tenth U20 Women's World Cup berth.
Senegal – Third time lucky
Making their first ever appearance in the competition in 2016, Senegal suffered a first-round elimination against Ghana after an 8-0 aggregate defeat on the road to Papua New Guinea 2016. Three years later, they fell yet again in the first round following a 3-2 defeat to Morocco and also overcame Sierra Leone 1-0 before the U20 2020 Women's World Cup cancellation. This time, the ambitious Teranga Lionesses improved on their showing, opening their campaign with a second-round 5-3 aggregate win over Mali and went on to edge Guinea on away goals rule after a third-round 3-3 aggregate score. In the fourth round, they pipped Morocco 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate score to advance and revenge their 2015 defeat. Once again, they will rely on the superb forms of Coumba M'Bodji, Adji N'Diaye and the team's topscorer Hapsatou Diallo with six goals to revive their dream after a 3-1 first leg loss.
WHAT THEY SAID
Aicha Henriette Ndiaye [Head coach, Senegal]
“We were beaten at home, it is a question of coming to snatch a positive result and save the honour of our football and our country on this return match. The girls, I assure you, will give everything tomorrow (Saturday), the objective is to seek a victory synonymous with qualification. If not, worst-case scenario, they know they have to come home with a positive result against a Nigerian side that is more athletically and tactically ready. I have the impression that we do not play in the same age category. We will do everything to snatch a positive result in a difficult context and against a mature opponent."
Nigeria – Tenth berth beckons
The Falconets, are two times world vice-champions (Germany 2010 and Canada 2014) will be hoping to maintain their ever presence at the global stage with a tenth appearance. As expected, they cruised past the Central African Republic, recording a second-round 11-0 on aggregate before Congo pulled out after a third round, first leg 4-0 win at home. The Falcons went on to oust 2019 African Games finalist Cameroon, securing the fourth round 3-0 aggregate win.
After a favourable first leg triumph, five-goal scorer Flourish Sabastine, who scored all three goals in Thies will be looked to again to have her moment of sealing the ticket. The heroics of Mercy Idoko, Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun will be once again huge for the Nigerians' qualification quest.
WHAT THEY SAID
Moses Aduku [Assistant coach, Nigeria]
"We've played seven games, won six and drew one, the same way we started, the same way we will continue into the last with all seriousness. Despite winning in Senegal, we will play like a cup final and finish strong. The Falconets have not been eliminated in the qualifiers, and this time won't be different as we are not just seeing this as the final match, we are seeing it as a ladder into another round, we are coming all out and from the blast of the whistle the girls will put in all possible best. Complacency is dangerous, we are going to play as if our lives depend on it. We make sure we get an early goal and also a security goal. And surely, the girls are good to go."
Flourish Sabastine [Striker, Nigeria]
"It has been a wonderful journey so far and an awesome privilege to play for the Falconets. My big motivation is seeing myself at the U20 Women's World Cup and showcasing what we've got to win the trophy. I was so happy to score my first hat trick and I have so much belief in the team and we have put in the hard work which I am sure we help us achieve our aims. The first leg win was a boost for our qualification dreams. In the second leg, I believe we can do better and win very well, scoring about six to seven goals."