Falconets Depart for Poland, Target Historic U20 World Cup Triumph
Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, will depart the country on Monday night for Poland, where they will compete at the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup with a determination to win the country’s first title in the competition.
The Falconets secured their place at the tournament after overcoming Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, Senegal 3-1 and Malawi 3-2 during the qualifying campaign. The team subsequently completed its final preparations in Abuja, focusing on physical fitness, tactical discipline, teamwork and mental readiness.
Head coach Moses Aduku expressed confidence in the squad, saying the players are physically and mentally prepared to compete at the highest level.
He said the Falconets are travelling to Poland with a strong winning mentality and the ambition of challenging for the trophy.
Captain Joy Igbokwe also promised that the team would give its best to make Nigerians proud, while appealing for continued prayers and support throughout the tournament.
Nigeria have twice finished runners-up at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, in 2010 and 2014, and will be seeking to go one step further in Poland.
The Falconets have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. They will face Spain on September 7, China on September 10 and New Caledonia on September 13.
The 21-player squad will initially be accommodated at Hotel Trzebnica in Trzebnica from their arrival on Tuesday, August 25, until September 3, before moving to the official FIFA hotel.
Nigeria are the only African country to have featured at every edition of the competition since its inaugural staging as an U19 tournament in Canada 24 years ago.
Falconets squad: Christiana Uzoma, Jane Ijirigho, Ramotalahi Kareem, Queen Joseph, Favour Nkwocha, Rebecca Adegbemile, Joy Igbokwe, Faridat Abdulwahab, Precious Oscar, Tumininu Adeshina, Bright Etim, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Victory Lucky, Mary Mamudu, Hannah Ibrahm, Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei, Amber Ogbolu, Winner David, Chisom Nwachukwu and Jumai Adebayo.
