Falconets Open Camp Ahead of Rwanda U20 World Cup Qualifier
The Nigeria U20 Women’s National Team, popularly known as the Falconets, will resume camping in Abuja on Sunday, August 10, as preparations begin for their crucial 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda.
Newly appointed head coach Moses Aduku has invited a 35-player squad to kick off training ahead of the second-round clash. The first leg will be played in Kigali on Sunday, September 21, while the return leg is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
The squad is made up of four goalkeepers, eleven defenders, nine midfielders, and eleven forwards. Training sessions are set to commence on Monday, August 11, as Aduku begins shaping the team for the challenge ahead.
Among the invited players are several familiar faces from the team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. These include team captain and defender Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Joy Igbokwe, and forwards Mary Lucky Mkpa and Goodness Osigwe.
At the 2024 tournament, which featured 24 teams for the first time, the Falconets opened with a 1–0 win over Korea Republic, suffered a 1–3 loss to Germany, and bounced back with a commanding 4–0 victory over Venezuela. Their campaign ended in the Round of 16 following a narrow 1–2 defeat to Japan.
With the 2026 edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup set to be hosted in Poland, the Falconets are determined to secure qualification and build on their previous performance.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: GodsTime Elisha (Ibom Angels), Fatima Okolo (Rivers Angels), Sylvia Echefu (Bayelsa Queens), Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)
Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Nasarawa Amazons), Tumininu Adeshina (Naija Ratels), Folashade Adegbemile (Edo Queens), Sandra Nwibe (Rivers Angels), Marylen Edem (Nasarawa Amazons), Vivian Ekezie (Abia Angels), Esther Adesoji (Nasarawa Amazons), Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers), Motunrayo Yusuf (FC Robo Queens), Ramotallahi Kareem (Rivers Angels), Chiamaka Ezekuwugo (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels), Kafaya Mafisera (Edo Queens), Joy Igbokwe (Nasarawa Amazons), Yetunde Omotosho (Remo Stars Ladies), Esther Inyang (Edo Queens), Mary Aderemi (Bayelsa Queens), Favour Nkwocha (FC Robo Queens), Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons), Adanna Nwachukwu (Naija Ratels)
Forwards: Mary Mamudu (Edo Queens), Mary Nkpa (Bayelsa Queens), Goodness Osigwe (Edo Queens), Delight Isaac (Bayelsa Queens), Esther Moses (Edo Queens), Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels), Dorothy Eshiet (Abia Angels), Alaba Olabiyi (Bayelsa Queens), Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons), Precious Oscar (Bayelsa Queens), Daniella Fagbenro (Remo Stars Ladies)
