By Aderonke Ojo
Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s national team are focused on developing a winning mentality and achieving peak fitness ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Falconets Head Coach, Moses Aduku, stated this after his team defeated Abuja-based Sunshine FC 10-0 in a friendly match.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The emphatic victory marked the Falconets’ first friendly as preparations for the tournament gather momentum.
“It was an impressive start, but there are areas we still need to work on. We have to improve the way we play as a unit, both offensively and defensively.
“While we are preparing, other countries are also preparing, so we must continue to improve,” Aduku said.
According to the coach, developing the right mentality and ensuring the players attain peak fitness remain the team’s priorities.
“We want to instil a winning mentality in the players and ensure they are fully fit. Fitness will be one of our greatest strengths going into the World Cup,” he said.
Aduku acknowledged that Nigeria would face tough opposition in Poland but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete.
“Every match will be tough, but we are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations.
“Our opening game against Spain will be difficult, but we are determined to make a statement,” he said.
The coach appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the team as preparations for the tournament continue.
“We ask Nigerians to continue praying for us and supporting the team. We will do everything possible to make the country proud,” he said.
The Falconets are currently in camp in Abuja ahead of the tournament scheduled to hold in Poland from Sept. 5 to Sept. 27.
Aduku said most of the invited players had reported to camp, while one or two others were expected to join the squad in the coming days.
Reacting to the result, Sunshine FC Head Coach, James Phanuel, described the match as a valuable learning experience in spite of the heavy defeat.
“It is never easy to play against a national team. Most of my players are still at the grassroots level and lack that experience.
“We struggled with fitness and communication, but we will continue to develop and improve,” Phanuel said.
Falconets captain, Joy Igbokwe, said the players were determined to justify the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the World Cup.
“It is a privilege to wear the national colours. We are taking this preparation seriously because we want to make Nigeria proud,” Igbokwe said.
She described the victory as an encouraging start to the team’s preparations.
“This win is only the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do, but we believe we have what it takes to compete for the title,” she said.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and Paraguay.
The Falconets will open their campaign against Spain on Sept. 7, before facing China PR on Sept. 10.
They will conclude their group-stage campaign against Paraguay on Sept. 13.
Nigeria qualified after overcoming Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi during the African qualifying series.
The qualification extended Nigeria’s record as the only African nation to have featured in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2002.
The Falconets, who finished runners-up in 2010 and 2014 and reached the semi-finals in 2012, will seek their first title in Poland.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo