Nigeria’s U-20 girls, the Falconets prepare for FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final round first leg clash against Senegal in Dakar.

Falconets Prepare For U-20 Battle Against Senegal In Dakar

Last updated Mar 10, 2022

Nigeria’s U-20 girls, the Falconets, arrived in Dakar ahead of their 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final round first leg clash against Senegal at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies, outside Dakar.

The two-time World Cup runners-up have amassed a total of 18 goals in five matches in the qualifying series, overcoming Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Cameroon on the way. Against the Central African Republic, the Falconets hit seven goals away and four at home.

The Falconets beat the Republic of Congo 4-0 in Brazzaville, leading to the Congolese Football Federation opting not to fly their girls to Nigeria for the return leg.

Cameroon’s U-20 girls showed determination in its first encounter with the Nigerian girls in Douala as the game finished 0-0. However, the Falconets put three past Cameroon at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, sending them out of the race.

Falconets head coach, Chris Danjuma, settled for his regulars in the 23-girl list, including goalkeeper Monle Oyono, captain Oluwatosin Demehin, defenders Oshobukola Omowumi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem and Jumoke Alani, midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Adoo Yina, and forwards Mercy Idoko, Joy Jerry and Blessing Okpe.

Saturday’s clash at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies (outside Dakar) will kick off at 5.30pm (Nigeria time), 4.30pm (Senegal time).

Read more: Falconets thrash CAR 7-0 In FIFA U-20 Qualifier
Read more: Falconets foes Congo withdraws from World Cup Qualifiers

The Falconets squad

Goalkeepers

Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens) and Inyene Etim (Abia Angels).

Defenders

Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens) and Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens).

Midfielders

Bashirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons) and Anuoluwapo Salisu (Bayelsa Queens),

Forwards

Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels) and Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons).

Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.