FIFA hails Falconets’ Okwuchukwu as ‘up there with the very best of them’

Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, who was involved in three of the four goals the Falconets scored in their 4-0 demolition of Venezuela to finish second in their group at the FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup, has been hailed as one of the stars of the competition and one for the future.

The world governing body for the sport described on its website Okwuchukwu’s inspirational and impactful display for the Nigerians, especially in the game against Venezuela U20 girls on Saturday.

‘At a tournament where so many young stars have shone, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Okwuchukwu is up there with the very best of them. The Cristiano Ronaldo-admiring winger provided a collection of crosses that the Portuguese great would have been proud of as Nigeria thrashed Venezuela to reach the knockouts.

‘It was an early Okwuchukwu cut-back that teed Amina Bello up for the opener before provider turned scorer with Okwuchukwu rising to meet a header and make it two just shy of the half hour.

‘Another delightful ball from the Falconets star winger put it on a plate that was eagerly gobbled up by Flourish Sabastine for the third and substitute Joy Igbokwe capped the dominant win off with a thunderbolt from all of 40 yards in second half stoppage time,’wrote FIFA.