Falconets boosted as Benfica forward Janet Akekeromowei joins squad in Poland
Nigeria’s Falconets have received a major boost at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland with Benfica forward Janet Akekoromowei joining the team ahead of their next Group F fixture.
Akekoromowei arrived in Poland on Wednesday after completing the necessary documentation in Portugal relating to her continued stay with Portuguese champions Benfica.
The 18-year-old striker had been expected to miss Nigeria’s opening match against Spain after remaining in Portugal to conclude the administrative process.
Her arrival now gives head coach Moses Aduku another attacking option as the Falconets continue their campaign at the global tournament.
Nigeria began their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain on September 7 and will face China PR in their second Group F match on Thursday.
Akekoromowei was included in Nigeria’s original 21-player squad for the tournament after earning her place following an impressive rise through Nigerian women’s football.
Her inclusion is particularly significant given her experience at the U-20 level and her recent move to European football.
The former Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queens forward joined Benfica in July, signing a contract that runs until 2028.
Before her move to Portugal, Akekoromowei enjoyed a standout season in the Nigeria Women Football League, scoring 13 goals and earning recognition as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Her development was temporarily interrupted by an ankle injury sustained during Nigeria’s U-20 World Cup qualifying campaign against Senegal in February.
She subsequently recovered and completed her move to Benfica, making her return to the Falconets setup an important development for Nigeria at the World Cup.
Akekoromowei also featured for Nigeria at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, giving her valuable experience of the competition.
The Falconets will be hoping that her arrival can provide an additional attacking spark as they seek to recover from the opening-day defeat to Spain.
Nigeria will face China PR on September 10 before rounding off their Group F campaign against New Caledonia on September 13.
With Akekoromowei now back with the squad, Aduku has another proven attacking option at his disposal as Nigeria fight to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
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