France 2018: Falconets Ready To Battle For Semi Final Ticket

Nigeria’s U20 girls tackle their counterparts from Spain on Thursday for a place in the semi finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, with sweet memories of how the Falconets edged the Spaniards in a group phase game in Papua New Guinea two years ago.

Nigeria won that match 2-1, and the two –time silver medallists have confidence they can pull off another victory against La Rojita in Concarneau to earn a berth in the championship’s last four.

Five members of the Class of 2018 were part of that squad that defeated Spain in Papua New Guinea two years ago, including Skipper Rasheedat Ajibade, who has scored both of the Nigerian team’s goals in the ongoing tournament. Four of the girls that played for Spain in Papua New Guinea are in the squad in France.

Nigeria’s tally of four points was the lowest for a team that reached the quarter finals in France, but that would count for nothing when the Falconets file out against La Rojita on Thursday evening, starting from 3pm Nigeria time.

To reach this stage, the Falconets defeated Haiti 1-0 and drew 1-1 with China, after an opening –day 0-1 loss to perennial foes Germany in Saint Malo.

On their part, the Spaniards hammered Paraguay 4-1 and pipped Japan 1-0 before drawing 2-2 with USA.

Nigeria’s Falconets To Begin Preparation For France 2018

Coach Chris Danjuma has invited 35 players to the camp of the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, for the first phase of preparations for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in France.

The list of players who have been told to arrive at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Thursday includes Rasheedat Ajibade, top scorer for the Falconets in the qualifying series, as well as goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke, defenders Glory Ogbonna and Kemi Famuditi, midfielders Folasade Ijamilusi and Peace Efih, and forwards Monday Gift, Chidinma Okeke and Charity Reuben.

during the 2018 FIFA U 20 Women World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria vs South Africa on January,27th 2018 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
©Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora

The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will take place in five cities in France between 5th – 24th August 2018.

Nigeria’s Falconets have been drawn in Group D alongside Haiti, China and Germany. The Falconets lost narrowly to the Germans in the Final of the 2010 and 2014 editions of the competition.

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels); Mercy Vincent (Confluence Queens); Onyinyechukwu Okeke (Edo Queens); Rita Akariko (Sunshine Queens); Nelly Ekeh (Ibom Angels)

Defenders: Joy Duru (Nasarawa Amazons); Blessing Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Oluwakemi Famuditi (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Uchegbu (Heartland Queens); Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Mary Ologbosere (Rivers Angels); Opeyemi Sunday (Sunshine Queens); Lilian Tule (Bayelsa Queens); Honesty Essien (Pelican Stars); Margaret Etim (Delta Queens); Rebecca Ajiga (Edo Queens)

during the 2018 FIFA U 20 Women World Cup Qualifier match between Nigeria vs South Africa on January,27th 2018 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium
©Kabiru Abubakar/fotodezamora

Midfielders: Taibat Odueke (Edo Queens); Adebisi Saheed (Delta Queens); Christy Ucheibe (Nasarawa Amazons); Folasade Ijamilusi (Spring Soccer); Hannah Yusuf (Rivers Angels); Peace Efih (Edo Queens); Ramat Abdulkarim (Confluence Queens); Mary Saiki (Rivers Angels); Esther Ndubuisi (FC Robo); Esther Onyenezidie (FC Robo)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo); Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Grace Igboamalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Charity Reuben (Ibom Angels); Aishat Bello (Nasarawa Amazons); Kafayat Bashiru (Jokodolu Babes); Gift Monday (FC Robo); Chidinma Okeke (FC Robo); Dooshima Tarnum (Nasarawa Amazons)

Falconets Supercharged For South African Challenge

Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, will on Saturday take on their South African counterparts in the first leg of the final round of African qualifying race for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.

The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will hold in five cities in France 7th – 26th August 2018.

To reach this stage, the Falconets overwhelmed their counterparts from Tanzania 9-0 on aggregate, before sending Morocco’s impressive U20 girls packing 6-2 after two legs.

The South African girls shot past Namibia and Burundi, and the reward for them is a two –leg battle with rivals Nigeria, with the opening leg at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday, starting from 3pm South African time (2pm Nigeria time).

Coach Chris Danjuma told thenff.com on Tuesday that his charges, who depart Nigeria on Wednesday night aboard a South African Airways flight from Lagos, are prepared to take the game to the South Africans in Polokwane.

Nigeria Falconets Training
photo credit: Monica Iheakam

“We have been working very hard at training for some weeks now, and we are very focused on earning the World Cup ticket. Of course, we understand that the South Africans would be tougher opposition than our previous opponents.

“We are ready for them. Our eyes are on the ticket to France.”