Aduku: Falconets Have Shown Nigeria’s Future Is Very Bright

Nigeria coach Moses Aduku believes the Falconets’ run to the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has provided a glimpse of a bright future for the country’s women’s football.

The Falconets were eliminated from the tournament after Valerin Loboa scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to give Colombia a 1-0 victory in their quarter-final at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź on Sunday.

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Aduku praised the tournament for giving Nigeria’s young players the opportunity to develop and gain valuable international experience.

‘I think, first and foremost, this tournament is good for the young players. It gives them the ability to grow and reach the next level,’ Aduku said.

‘I think, in Nigeria, we have seen the future of our players. And I think the future is very bright.’

There was little to separate the two teams during a scrappy first half, although Nigeria came closest to breaking the deadlock when defender Tumininu Adeshina unleashed a powerful long-range left-foot effort that Colombia goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo tipped over the bar.

Colombia grew stronger after the interval and created better opportunities, with Mariana Silva twice finding herself through on goal only for Nigeria goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma to deny her.

Nigeria’s task became even more difficult 13 minutes from time when Kafayat Masifere was shown a red card for a high challenge on Samantha Rodriguez.

Reduced to 10 players, the Falconets defended resolutely and appeared to have done enough to force extra time.

But Colombia finally made their numerical advantage count in the second minute of stoppage time.

Loboa slid in to meet the loose ball after her initial effort had been blocked by Uzoma, bundling the rebound into the net to send Colombia into the semi-finals.

The result ended Nigeria’s campaign at the quarter-final stage, but Aduku believes the experience will be valuable to a young squad whose development remains the bigger picture.