After a shameful outing in the last World Cup, Nigerian girls are bringing smiles to the faces of Nigerians. Falconets’ Ebere Orji as captured above celebrates her lone goal that sent Nigeria to the final of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup.

Beside is golden girl Blessing Okagbare celebrating her gold in the 100m of the biggest African Athletics Championship in Kenya yesterday.

Seun Adigun also won gold in the hurdles. Just like the men are failing Nigeria in football, it is equally so in Track and Field. Nigeria’s champions Obinna Metu and Ogho placed seventh and fifth respectively in the final of the mens event, the first time Nigeria was failing to win any medal in the event since the championship started.
Nigeria yesterday became the first African team to reach the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final as they overcame Columbia with a 2nd-minute strike by Ebere Orji in Bielefeld. They play Germany in the same stadium on Sunday, after the host nation defeated Korea Republic 5-1. The Germans go into the final as favourites.

The Colombians gave their all as rain fell and made conditions difficult for both sides.  They were restricted to few opportunities by the physically fit Falconets, who seized on their early chance and then produced a solid, organised performance to delight their singing small band of supporters who gradually drowned out both the Colombian cheerleaders and also a rival German band.

It was an amazing start to the game as Nigeria scored within the first two minutes. It began with what was no more than a hopeful move up-front from captain Joy Jegede, standing just inside the opposition half.

The ball landed in the penalty area where the high bounce took it over goalkeeper Paula Forero and against the bar. Only Ebere Orji was alive to the possibilities and she scored easily and without pressure.

The Falconets were a delight to watch in terms of their ball sense and wife of President Goodluck Jonathan was proud of the girls. She was at the stadium.