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FIRST HALF PENALTY GOAL SHOOTS FALCONETS UP

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Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half penalty kick was enough to see Nigeria edge Haiti 1-0 in Group D at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 to secure a crucial three points, keeping their knockout round qualification hopes alive.

The match started at a furious pace but neither side were able to off any real goal scoring 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 area by Haiti’s Dougenie Joseph.

Africa’s top scorer in qualifying for France 2018, Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade made no mistake when presented with the opportunity and converted what turned out to be the winning goal from 12 yards.

Nigeria’s Gift Monday in perfect control of the ball

  Haiti responded to going behind almost immediately but No10 Nerilia Mondesir was denied by the post after a swift counter-attack. The Caribbean side continued to push for the equaliser but Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie proved to be equal to every challenge that came her way.

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.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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