Nigeria’s Falconets fly to France today ahead of U-20 World Cup

Thursday Aug 02, 2018. 10:00

Nigeria’s Falconets are set to fly from Austria to France later today as they gear up for the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The ninth edition of the tournament will be held from August 5 to 24 in the Brittany region of France. Nigeria found themselves in Group D alongside Haiti China and Germany.

The West African side will open their campaign against Germany in Saint-Malo on August 6.

The Falconets are Nigeria’s most successful women’s team at global level, winning silver at the World Cup twice (Germany 2010 and Canada 2014), bronze once (Japan 2012), and reaching the quarter finals in Thailand (2004), Russia (2006) and Chile (2008).

In qualifying, Nigeria’s U-20 team defeated their counterparts from Tanzania (9-0 on aggregate), Morocco (6-2) and South Africa (8-0).

Coach Christopher Danjuma named a final list of 21 players last Friday during the team’s 12-day training camp in Austria.

The other African side in the tournament is Ghana, who are pooled in Group A alongside France, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Nigeria U-20 World Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Okeke Onyinyechukwu (Edo Queens), Nnadozie Chiamaka (Rivers Angels) Akarekor Rita (Sunshine Queens).

Defenders: Ogbonna Glory (Ibom Angels) Famuditi Oluwakemi (Confluence Queens) Duru Joy (Nasarawa Amazons) Ologbosere Mary (Rivers Angels) Sunday Opeyemi (Sunshine Queens) Ezekiel Blessing (Rivers Angels).

Midfielders: Saiki Mary (Rivers Angels), Ucheibe Christy (Nasarawa Amazons) Efih Peace (Edo Queens) Saheed Adebisi (Bayelsa Queens) Amoo Bashirat (Confluence Queens) Igboamalu Grace (Nasarawa Amozons) Odueke Taibat (Edo Queens).

Forwards: Monday Gift (FC Robo), Ajibade Rasheedat (FC Robo), Imo Anam (Nasarawa Amazons) Okeke Chidinma (FC Robo) Bello Aishat (Nasarawa Amazons).