FIFA Under-20 Female World Cup: Japan Eliminates Nigeria, Super Falcons Coach Waldrum, Resigns

By Akinwale Kasali

In a crunchy tie between the Falconets of Nigeria and Asian Giant, Japan, the Nigerian Ladies could not match the firing prowess of the Japanese. Nigeria’s Super Falcons succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to the reigning vice champions of the FIFA Under-20 Female World Cup.

The defeat ends Nigeria’s journey at Colombia early Friday morning, after a superlative display from both sides.

A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little, too late at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota.

The tenacious Maya Hijikata came close in the 13th minute, almost capitalizing as goalkeeper Faith Omilana came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation.

Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips were countered by Nigeria’s fit-fighting approach and positional play. But in the 18th minute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball as Rio Sasaki carved open Nigeria’s defence from a free kick on the right.

The East Asians would go in front in the 33rd minute, as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara.

Four minutes before the break, Nigeria could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma, but Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line.

Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai.

Omilana punched over fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively, but Nigeria made it a tense finish when Shobowale coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe.

Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.

In another development, Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum has resigned as the Coach of the Senior Female National Side, citing his wife’s health challenges as the major reason he took the decision.

“It’s been a very difficult few weeks following the Olympics, with my wife’s health issues, and the worries that obviously come with that,” reads a statement from the letter.

“After much thought and consideration, I am hereby resigning my position as Head Coach of the Super Falcons.

“This will allow the NFF ample time to find the next manager to take over this incredible squad.”

The 67-year-old took charge of the Super Falcons in 2020.

The former Trinidad and Tobago head coach turned down the chance to manage the team three years earlier.

Waldrum combined the Super Falcons’ role with that of the Pittsburgh Panthers Football Club Team.

His last game in charge of the Super Falcons was the 2024 Olympic Games group stage match against Japan.