By Aderonke Ojo
Moses Aduku , Head Coach of Nigeria’s Under 20 Women’s National Team,has urged the Falconets to remain focused and maintain a strong winning mentality as they depart for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Aduku gave the charge as the Falconets concluded their final camping and preparations in Abuja ahead of their scheduled departure for Poland on the night of Monday night.
The Director of Media and Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Aduku said the players had been adequately prepared physically and mentally and were ready to compete at the highest level.
“The girls have been adequately prepared, both physically and mentally. They are ready to compete at the highest level.
“We are going to Poland with a strong winning mentality. Our ambition is to challenge for the trophy, and we believe we have what it takes to do well,” he said.
The two-time World Cup silver medallists secured their place at the global tournament following a successful qualifying campaign against Rwanda, Senegal and Malawi.
They defeated Rwanda 5-0 on aggregate, overcame Senegal 3-1 on aggregate and sealed their World Cup ticket against Malawi with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Following their qualification, the team embarked on an intensive final phase of preparation in Abuja, with emphasis on physical fitness, tactical discipline, teamwork and mental readiness.
Captain Joy Igbokwe assured Nigerians of the team’s determination to make the country proud.
“We are determined to make Nigeria proud and bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
“We appeal to Nigerians to continue believing in us, praying for us and supporting us throughout the tournament. We will give our best on the pitchshe said.
The Falconets will compete in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia at the tournament.
Nigeria, runners-up at the 2010 and 2014 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, will be seeking to go a step further in Poland and win the country’s first title in the competition.
The team will stay at Hotel Trzebnica in the city of Trzebnica from their arrival on Tuesday, , until Thursday, Sept. 3, when they will move into the FIFA hotel.
While at Hotel Trzebnica, the Falconets will perfect their tactical and technical readiness for the championship and acclimatise ahead of their Group F games against Spain on Sept. 7, China on Sept. 10 and New Caledonia on Sept. 13.
A total of 21 players will fly Nigeria’s flag at the competition, with Nigeria the only African country to have appeared at every edition of the competition since it was launched as an U-19 tournament in Canada 24 years ago.
The Players are, Christiana Uzoma, Jane Ijirigho, Ramotalahi Kareem, Queen Joseph, Favour Nkwocha, Rebecca Adegbemile, Joy Igbokwe, Faridat Abdulwahab, Precious Oscar and Tamininu Adeshina.
Others are Bright Etim, Onyedikachi Ekezie, Victory Lucky, Mary Mamudu, Hannah Ibrahm, Tosin Rafiu, Janet Akekoromowei, Amber Ogbolu, Winner David, Chisom Nwachukwu and Jumai Adebayo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN )reports that 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament being hosted by Poland from Sept. 5 to Sept. 27.
