Ikpeme Demands Goals as Falconets Fight for Round of 16

Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, has charged the Falconets and Flamingos to rise to the occasion as they face crucial assignments in Poland and Côte d’Ivoire respectively.

Ikpeme urged the U20 women’s national team, Falconets, to secure a convincing victory against New Caledonia in their final Group B fixture at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland on Sunday.

The Falconets, who have one point from their opening two matches following a 2-2 defeat to Spain and a goalless draw with China, need a victory and a significant improvement in goal difference to enhance their chances of reaching the Round of 16.

‘You have a great chance to qualify for the Round of 16 if you win and win well against New Caledonia. It is a good opportunity that you have to prove yourself, but you must approach the match with clarity of purpose, focus and ambition,’ Ikpeme told the players by phone after their training session in Łódź on Saturday.

‘You had a good game against China but you did not score, so our country is still with one point on the table. Against New Caledonia, the goals are important to take us to four points and a good position to reach the knockout rounds.’

Ikpeme also visited the camp of the Flamingos on Saturday ahead of their departure for the WAFU-B U17 Girls Tournament in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

The tournament begins on September 15, with Nigeria scheduled to fly out on Monday.

The NFF acting general secretary challenged the Flamingos to go a step further than their runners-up finish in the inaugural edition in 2024, where they lost to hosts Ghana on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

‘I want you girls to go all out and win the trophy in Yamoussoukro, so that you can possess a winning mentality ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco,’ he said.

Ikpeme described the WAFU-B tournament as an important preparatory platform for the Flamingos ahead of the World Cup and urged them to approach the competition with confidence and positive energy.

Meanwhile, Ikpeme congratulated Enugu Rangers on their progress to the second round of the CAF Champions League after eliminating Benin Republic side Sobemap FC on penalties in Lomé on Friday.

‘The NFF is happy with the feat of Enugu Rangers in Lomé; only warriors win in that manner,’ he said.

He also urged Rivers United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Shooting Stars, who are representing Nigeria in continental competitions this weekend, to emulate Rangers’ fighting spirit and secure positive results.