By Harry Awurumibe There is no better time for Nigeria’s U- 20 women’s football team, Falconets to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup than in this 9th edition of the competition holding in France.
Nigeria has a great reputation in the biannual football event which started as FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup in 2002 in Canada. A hurriedly selected team led by late veteran Women’s football coach, Ntiero Effiom Ntiero could not go beyond the first round in Canada.
But Nigeria has bounced back strongly to reach the final of the FIFA U 20 Women’s World Cup on two occasions. The Falconets lost in the final in 2010 and 2014 respectively.
Interestingly, Nigeria lost to Germany on the two occasions with the last one in Canada by just an odd goal. Falconets have also finished in the fourth place in 2012 to show the intent to lift the coveted trophy one day.
That day may be on August 26 in Vannes, Brittany region of France when the final of the 2018 edition will be played.
But to reach the final Nigeria will have to navigate her way out of a tricky Group D comprising Germany, China PR and Haiti. And it doesn’t come bigger than the openning first Group D match on Monday between Nigeria and Germany in Saint-Malo. This interesting match up will determine the faith of the Falconets.
Should the most successful African Women’s football team at the world level beat their perennial rivals on Monday, then hope of making it out of the Group will rise. And if the Nigerian girls qualify to the next stage, there will be no stopping them.
This dream can only become a reality if the present squad put together by an experienced women’s football coach, Christopher Danjuma Musa can play to the potentials of the team.
With no fewer than eight players who have tasted actions in the FIFA U-17 and FIFA U- 20 Women’s World Cup finals in the past two years, Falconets qualify easily from the group and reach the knock out stage.
Among the experienced players in the Falconets are team captain Oluwakemi Famuditi, goalkeeper Onyinye Okeke, defenders Glory Ogbonna, Mary Ologbosere and striker Rasheedat Ajibola who played in the last Women’s World Cup final in Papua New Guinea. There also players like Bashirat Amoo, Christy Ucheibe, Joy Duru, Peace Efih, Adebisi Saheed, Sunday Opeyemi and Chinyere Igboamalu among others.
Yet there are new but important players in the team like dependable strikers- Anam Imo, Ayisat Bello and Gift Monday as well as strong defenders – Blessing Ezekiel and Chidinma Okeke. Goalkeeper Rita Akarekor; midfielders Mary Saiki and Kikelomo Odueke completes the Falconets 21- man strong team to take on the world in France.
Head Coach, Danjuma who is not a new man in FIFA Women’s World Cup final after serving as an understudy to former Super Falcons coaches at different times has his work cut out for him in France.
His team plays a high pressure game with Falconets known for attacking their opponents from the wings while maintaining a good balance in the midfield where Igboamalu and Saheed may run things for the Africans.
Should the Falconets who spent two weeks at a High Performance Center in Austria where they played and won two friendly matches found their rthym in France, the coveted trophy may be won by Nigeria this time around.
Harry Awurumibe is SA,Women’s Football Affairs to NFF President
