The Falconets of Nigeria made a fiery statement of intent in their opening match of the WAFU B U-20 Girls’ Cup, overpowering arch-rivals Ghana 3-1 at the Omnisport Stadium in Adjouhoun, Benin Republic, on Saturday.

Janet Akekoromowei stole the show with a first-half brace that put Nigeria in command from the start.

She opened the floodgates in the 37th minute with an ice-cool penalty before doubling Nigeria’s advantage in stoppage time with a poacher’s finish to give the Falconets a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Ghana fought back after the break, pulling one back through Sarah Nyarko in the 49th minute to spark brief hope for the Black Princesses.

But the Falconets refused to blink. With just two minutes left on the clock, Favour Chiamaka delivered the final blow, curling in a stunning strike straight from a corner to seal a commanding 3-1 victory.

The win puts Coach Moses Aduku’s side in pole position in the tournament, where every goal could decide the title.

Nigeria will face hosts Benin Republic’s Young Amazons on Sunday at 10:00am, knowing that another victory could all but crown them champions.

The victory was also a sweet revenge for the Falconets, who were denied the title by Ghana on penalties in the 2023 final after a 1-1 draw.

The mini-tournament, reduced to three teams after the withdrawals of Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, will see each side play one another in a round-robin format.

Nigeria will face Ghana again on Tuesday before concluding the competition on Wednesday, November 12.