Falconets now to play Basetsana on Sunday

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup African final qualifying match between Nigeria’s Falconets and the Basetsana of South Africa will now take place in South Africa on Sunday.

Earlier slated for Saturday, the match has been moved at the instance of the South African Football Association, but the venue still remains the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa (outside Johannesburg), and the match will still kick off at 3pm.

NFF Executive Committee member Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who is also Chairman of Chairmen, will lead the delegation that will be made up of 18 players and 10 technical/backroom staff.

Falconets’ Head Coach, Peter Dedevbo, said on Wednesday that his girls are ready for the big battle, with the fixture delicately poised at 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.

“We wanted to win big in the first leg, but it didn’t happen. Sunday is another day to look for a big win. The fact that we are playing away from home matters little to us.

“Papua New Guinea is a destination for the Falconets next year. Nigeria has never missed any FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and we will not start now.”

Chinwendu Ihezuo scored after the half –hour to put Nigeria ahead and the Falconets then benefitted from an own goal by a Basetsana defender in the first leg. However, a late penalty handed Basetsana a crucial away goal.

Dedevbo added: “We will play with our hearts, with confidence and discipline. We have forgotten entirely about the first leg result, because we know we have to win in South Africa.”