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africanews

Nigeria's Falconets bowed to the fire-power of their German counterparts who became the first host nation to lift the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. An 8th minute goal from Germany's Alexandra Popp and a 91st minute own goal gave the host a 2-0 win over the West Africans.

Popp who scored her 10th goal in the hard-fought encounter took home the Adidas Golden Shoe for top markswoman at Germany 2010 while also becoming joint top scorer in all five editions.

The German win makes it the second time they are lifting this crown after being champions in Thailand in 2004.

Nigeria on the other hand made history as the first African team to appear in the final of any FIFA Women’s World Cup or Olympic Games after beating defending champions USA, and Colombia in semis. The Falconets won some vital midfield challenges, forcing Germany back with their strength, but the host nation with teeming home support carried the day.

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Speaking on the performance of Nigeria’s U-20 Women team, a broadcaster in Nigeria’s north, Hadiza Bayero said “the girls played well, they played with a lot of patriotism and they knew they were there as Nigeria’s representatives and they were not there as individuals…you could see the zeal to bring back home the trophy, but it didn’t work out like that.”

The broadcaster who has been commenting on the team’s previous matches said the Nigerian team did not do badly considering the solid home support the Germans enjoyed.

“They had the upper hand because they played at home, and people were speaking Germans up and down. How many Nigerians were in that crowd? All the same you can’t take it away from the Falconets, they tried.”

Acheme Jack, a journalist with Voice of Nigeria said the country’s performance was a good one that came at a period when Nigerians were still recovering from the poor showing at the just concluded world cup.

“This is more like a compensation for the blunder the senior national team committed at the world cup… second best is equal like the best… they should be well accommodated financially. And what is wrong in giving them national honors?”