Falconets Set to Take on Australia in World Cup Warm-Up.
The Nigeria U-20 women’s team, known as the Falconets, are gearing up for a friendly match against Australia as part of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Having fully recovered from their long journey, the Falconets are ready to face the Australians in what promises to be a challenging encounter.
The match, which will be held at the Club Banco de la República in Bogotá, Colombia, is scheduled for Friday at 10 am local time (4 pm Nigeria time). This is the first of two friendlies organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure the team’s readiness for the World Cup, which will take place from 31st August to 22nd September.
Head coach Chris Danjuma and his team, now bolstered by the addition of fitness trainer Chima Michael, have been putting the players through rigorous training sessions since Monday. The squad has been strengthened with several players who have also featured for Nigeria’s senior women’s team, the Super Falcons. Among them are defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, Comfort Folorunsho, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, and Flourish Sabastine.
Folorunsho and Ajakaye were part of the Nigeria U-17 team that secured a third-place finish at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago. They are joined by other promising talents such as goalkeeper Faith Omilana and forward Aminat Omowunmi Bello, both of whom also featured in the U-17 World Cup.
With this mix of experienced and young players, expectations are high for the Falconets as they prepare for the World Cup. Following the match against Australia, they will face Mexico in another friendly on Monday at the same venue.
Nigeria’s Squad for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024:
Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi (Delta Queens), Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels), Shukura Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons), Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens), Jumoke Alani (Nasarawa Amazons), Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens), Rofiat Imuran (Unattached), Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Naija Ratels)
Midfielders: Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons), Chioma Olise (Edo Queens), Olushola Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons), Joy Igbokwe (Naija Ratels), Shakirat Oyinlola (La Liga Academy, Spain)
Forwards: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels), Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens), Chiamaka Osigwe (Edo Queens), Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Oshoala Academy), Flourish Sabastine (Stade de Reims, France), Aminat Bello (Otero College, USA), Opeyemi Ajakaye (Madrid CFF, Spain)
The Falconets’ journey in Colombia is keenly anticipated, and these preparatory matches will provide vital experience ahead of the World Cup.
