FIFA U-20 WWC: Falconets ready to give everything against Spain, Aduku declares
Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, are determined to make a strong start to their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup campaign when they face Spain in their Group F opener on Monday.
Head coach Moses Aduku says his players are fully prepared for the challenge and will approach the encounter at Stadion Sosnowiec like a cup final, with victory firmly in their sights.
The match is scheduled for 5pm local time (4pm Nigeria time).
“We are looking forward to the match against Spain with high expectations. We are ready and set to go,” Aduku said.
“Spain is a good side, no doubt. However, we will approach the game like a Cup final because we want to win. The three points will put us in good stead in our group-phase campaign.”
Spain have established themselves as one of the leading teams in the competition in recent years. They reached the final in France in 2018, where they lost 3-1 to Japan, despite forward Patricia Guijarro winning both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe.
Two years later, Spain went a step further in Costa Rica, defeating Japan to claim the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.
The Falconets also have a proud history in the tournament, finishing runners-up twice. In 2010, Nigeria reached the final in Germany after a memorable semi-final victory over the United States on penalties, becoming the first African team to advance that far in the competition. They eventually lost 2-0 to hosts Germany in Bielefeld.
Nigeria again reached the final in 2014, with Asisat Oshoala producing a remarkable individual campaign in Canada. The forward scored seven goals to win both the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe, although the Falconets eventually suffered a narrow extra-time defeat to Germany in Montreal.
Aduku will now hope his young side can draw inspiration from that history as they begin another World Cup campaign.
Following Monday’s clash with Spain, the Falconets will face China on Thursday before rounding off their Group F fixtures against New Caledonia on Sunday.
The Nigerian coach is therefore keen to see his team secure maximum points against Spain and lay a solid foundation for progression to the knockout stage.
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