AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Falconets crashed out of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday, losing 1-0 to Colombia in a heartbreaking quarter-final defeat in Lodz, Poland.
Despite dominating proceedings for large swath of the match, the Nigerian ladies failed the breach the defense of the Colombians.
Janet Akekoromowei came close to giving Nigeria the lead in the first half, but her long-range strike came off the crossbar.
Valerin Loboa scored the only goal of the contest deep into stoppage time, breaking Nigerian hearts and ending Africa’s last representation at the tournament.
The result denied Moses Aduku’s side a first semi-final appearance since Canada 2014, when a young Asisat Oshoala helped Nigeria reach the final four.
Colombia, who had already stunned host nation Poland 1-0 in the Round of 16, produced another disciplined defensive display to frustrate a Nigerian side that had scored 13 goals across their previous four matches at the tournament.
The Falconets had entered the quarter-final full of confidence following a commanding 3-0 win over England, a result built on an early Tosin Rafiu strike, a Janet Akekoromowei volley and a late Mary Mamudu finish.
Aduku had warned his players against complacency ahead of the tie, describing Colombia as a side that “sent out the host nation” and would not be “a walk-in-the-park” for his team.
Nigeria will now have to wait for another opportunity to end their long wait for a first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title, having twice finished as runners-up in the competition’s history.
Colombia advance to the semi-finals, where they will face either defending champions DPR Korea or Canada, as they continue their pursuit of a maiden appearance in the tournament’s final four since finishing fourth in 2010.
