Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, have been crowned champions of the 2025 WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup after a dominant 3-0 victory over Ghana at the Stade Omnisports d’Adjohoun in Benin Republic on Tuesday.
Goals from Akekoromowei, Alaba Olabiyi, and Ramotalahi Kareem sealed the emphatic win, marking Nigeria’s first-ever triumph in the competition. Ghana, who lifted the maiden edition two years ago, were unable to defend their crown against a spirited Falconets side.
The Nigerian girls entered the clash knowing that a win would secure them the title, and they wasted no time stamping their authority on the game. Their breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Akekoromowei’s thunderous long-range free-kick found the back of the net.
Barely six minutes later, Olabiyi doubled Nigeria’s advantage with a composed finish, extending the Falconets’ lead. Despite being two goals up, the Nigerian side showed no signs of slowing down, continuing to press high and dominate possession with energy and precision.
The team’s relentless pressure paid off again after the interval when Kareem converted a fine cross from Akekoromowei around the 60th minute, making it 3-0. That strike took Kareem’s tally to three goals in the tournament, placing her level with Akekoromowei at the top of the scorers’ chart.
With the win, Nigeria finished the competition with a perfect nine points from three matches, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament. The Falconets are set to face hosts Benin Republic in their final fixture on Wednesday, a match now considered a dead rubber.
Ghana ended their campaign with six points, while Nigeria’s commanding victory served as sweet revenge for their loss to the Black Princesses in the previous edition’s penalty shootout.
Attention will now shift to the Falconets’ next major challenge—the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Senegal, scheduled for February 2026.
What you should know
The Falconets’ latest achievement highlights Nigeria’s growing dominance in women’s football across the continent.
Coached by a team dedicated to developing young talent, the squad blended tactical discipline with attacking flair throughout the WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup. For players like Akekoromowei and Kareem, who both topped the scoring chart, the tournament served as a showcase of Nigeria’s next generation of football stars.
Their performance not only avenged their earlier loss to Ghana but also reaffirmed Nigeria’s reputation as a powerhouse in African women’s football.
