Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half penalty kick helped Nigeria to beat Haiti 1-0 on Thursday at Stade de Marville in the French city of Saint-Malo.
The victory in Group D of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup tagged “France 2018’’ helped Nigeria to secure a crucial three points and keep their knockout round qualification hopes alive.
The match, according to reports, started at a furious pace but neither side were able to put up any real goalscoring threat.
It took until the 36th minute to see the breakthrough, with Nigeria being awarded a penalty kick after Anam Imo was fouled in the box 18 area by Haiti’s Dougenie Joseph.
Ajibade, who is Africa’s top scorer in qualifying for France 2018, made no mistake when presented with the opportunity and converted what turned out to be the winning goal from 12 yards.
Haiti responded by going behind almost immediately but Nerilia Mondesir was denied the post after a swift counter-attack.
The Caribbean side continued to push for the equaliser but goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie proved equal to every challenge.
Mondesir and Melchie Dumonay took much of the initiative going forward, looking dangerous at times, but the Nigerian backline, marshalled by Nnadozie, held on for the victory.
The win pushed Nigeria up the group’s table from fourth place after Monday’s opening matches to second place after Thursday’s matches.
Germany, 1-0 winners over Nigeria on Monday, remained firm as Group D leaders after beating China PR 2-0 in the group’s other MatchDay 2 fixture earlier at the same venue.
Nigeria now needs at least a draw in their final group phase match on Monday against China PR to be able to finish second and pick the group’s other quarter-final ticket.
Germany face Haiti on Monday at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes in their final group phase game and look sure bets to emerge group leaders, even after a slim loss.
The Falconets can be sure of emerging group runners-up with at least a draw against China PR at Clos Gastel Stadium in Lehon, at Dinan-Lehon, even if Haiti beat Germany.
