Flourish Sabastine Scores As Nigeria’s Falconets Beat France in U20 Women’s World Cup

• Nigeria vs France ended in a win for the Falconets, who dominated much of the encounter
• Flourish Sabastine, who tormented the European side throughout the game, eventually scored the only goal five minutes before full time
• It's three crucial points for Christopher Danjuma's side who will now take on South Korea on August 14

Nigeria’s Falconets have kick-started their campaign in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup with victory after defeating their counterparts from France 1-0.

Flourish Sabastine scored the game's only goal to put Nigeria on top of Group D, which has Canada and South Korea.

Nigeria’s coach Christopher Danjuma had selected captain Oluwatosin Demehin and 20 others for the 19-day championship.

As early as the 6th minute, Flourish Sabastine was brought down on the edge to win a free kick, but goalkeeper Petiteau makes a fine save for France.

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Falconets dominated the midfield in the early exchanges as they pressed forward in a bid to get the opening goal.

In the 23rd minute, France came close, but the Nigerian defenders were at their best to deny the Europeans from a goalmouth scramble off a tricky corner kick.

In the 31st minute, impressive midfielder Abiodun Deborah tried a long-range effort on the front of the box, which went wide as Nigeria maintain their high pressing.

Eight minutes later, France almost took the lead but somehow, the ball failed to go past the goal line before it was cleared off.

It was 0-0 at halftime as both sides went into the break, but the second half began with much intensity.

There was still no breakthrough as of the 50th minute, but the Falconets maintain their discipline while pressing forward for an opener.

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Just before the hour mark, Falconets missed a glorious opportunity, but Mercy Idoko failed to fire past brilliant keeper Petiteau off Sabastine's cross.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Chaimaka Okwuchukwu almost made an instant impact, but she couldn't connect with Sabastine's pass into the area before keeper Petiteau picked up the ball.

Nassi thought she had given France the lead in the 79th minute, but referee Gonzalez ruled out the goal for offside after VAR review.

Five minutes before regulation time, Sabastine broke the deadlock off Mercy Idoko pass as she raced through to the danger area to win it for Nigeria.

It ended; Nigeria 1-0 France.

Ghana off to a poor start

Sports Brief earlier reported that Ghana’s U20 female team, the Black Princesses, had a poor start to their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup after they were thrashed by the United States of America.

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First-half goals from Michelle Cooper and a second-half strike from Allyson Sentor ensured America picked all three points on the opening group game.

The Black Princesses were reduced to ten women after Jacqueline Owusu was red carded in the second half.