Boluwatife Kehinde
Coach Moses Aduku of the Falconets has expressed a strong sense of optimism regarding the chances of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team as they gear up to face Rwanda in the second leg of their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier, scheduled for Saturday. The match will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, providing the Falconets with a vital home advantage.
Currently, Nigeria holds a slender 1-0 lead following their performance in the first leg, which took place in Kigali. In that match, the Falconets exhibited remarkable resilience and tactical discipline to secure the narrow victory.
Despite this success, Aduku noted that the team had aimed to achieve a more significant goal margin in the away fixture, but ultimately, the win was of utmost importance. With the second leg looming, he believes playing on home soil presents a valuable opportunity for his team to capitalise on.
Aduku elaborated, “While we aspired for a larger scoreline in Rwanda, the primary focus was to secure a victory. Now that we are back home, we will have the luxury of competing with increased freedom and confidence that comes from playing in front of our own supporters. I have complete faith in my players and their ability to see this task through to completion.”
In preparation for the match, the coach has reported that all players are in peak physical condition, which is essential for a dominant performance. Training sessions held in Ibadan have been meticulously focused on refining attacking strategies and improving the team’s ability to convert scoring opportunities. Aduku emphasised that these elements will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match, as he seeks to bolster the offensive capabilities of the Falconets.
Despite their first-leg advantage, Aduku stressed the importance of not underestimating their opponents from Rwanda. “In the sport of football, results are never guaranteed until the final whistle blows. It is essential that we respect our opponents and approach this match with the same seriousness as if we were starting from a 0-0 scoreline,” he cautioned, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the game.
The Falconets have a storied history in African women’s youth football, having qualified for every U-20 World Cup since its inception in 2002. Aduku is determined that this current crop of players carries on that proud legacy. “This team is filled with immense talent and unwavering determination. They are fully aware of the stakes involved, and I am confident that they will rise to the occasion and deliver for Nigeria,” he asserted passionately.
Moreover, it is expected that fans in Ibadan will turn out in large numbers to support the team, creating a vibrant and motivating atmosphere. For Aduku and his squad, the goal is clear: “We aim to bring pride to our nation through qualification for the World Cup, and we are more than ready to take on this challenge.”
