The Falconets stormed Chile in 2008 with high expectations from millions of Nigerians back home. They were grouped together with Chile, England and New Zealand. The team, led by coach Daniel Evumena, had a brilliant start as they defeated New Zealand 3-2, in an action-packed opener. In their second game, the Falconets drew 1-1 with England, before inflicting a 2-0 defeat on Chile in their final group game. They qualified for the quarterfinals, where they were paired with France. The quarter-final clash was a five-goal thriller, ending 3-2 in favor of France. The Falconets were knocked out of the tournament, but they held their heads high with their brilliant tournament.

The team returned to the world stage in 2010 when the tournament was hosted by Germany. The team started their campaign on a bright note when they drew 1-1 with England in a game in which Desire Oparanozie scored the decisive equalizer to give Nigeria a well-deserved point. In their second group stage match played against Japan at Impuls Arena, the Falconets upset Japan by beating Japan 2-1 in a game in which Amarachi Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie scored for the Nigerian team. The stage was then set for their final group clash against Mexico, and the Nigerians, already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, rallied to draw 1-1 and move second in their group.

At the quarter-final stage, Nigeria were grouped alongside defending champions USA. It was a classic match that saw the best of African football. Amber Brooks of the USA had put her team ahead on 9 minutes, and it looked as if the goal would be enough to book them a place in the last four, when from the blues, Helen Ukaonu fired a rocket free-kick into the top corner of the USA goal in the 79th minute to level the score 1-1. The game was then decided in a penalty shootout which saw the Nigerians triumph over their US counterparts 4-2. It was a momentous occasion for women’s soccer in Africa, as no African country had ever beaten the USA at that level.

The semi-final matchup saw Nigeria clash with South American newcomer Colombia. It was a match that was decided by an early goal from the diminutive Ebere Orji in the 2 minute mark, after Colombian goalkeeper-Paula Forero failed to handle a long pass into her goal area. The victory saw Nigeria go down in the history book as the first African team to qualify for the finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

In the decided final at Bielefeld’s Schuco Arena, Germany proved to be a handful for the young Nigerians who were overwhelmed by the occasion. They won the match 2-0 and the Nigerians settled for a well deserved silver medal.