By Akinwale Kasali
As the Ninth Edition of the FIFA Under-20 Female World Cup begins in Costa Rica Wednesday August 10th-28th, 2022, the Falconets of Nigeria are upbeat of surpassing their runners-up feat achieved in 2010 and in 2012 editions of the World Showpiece.
Coach Chris Danjuma is optimistic that his Nigeria Under-20 girls have the strength, the savvy and the right spirit to cause a stir at the World Championships and make history as the first African nation to achieve the feat.
The Falconets arrived in the Costa Rican capital, San Jose, Saturday morning after travelling through Istanbul (Turkey) and Bogota (Colombia).
In the words of Danjuma on their arrival at San Jose, Costa Rica Capital, “We are finally here, and we are happy to be here at the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup is always an interesting experience for the coaches and the players, and I am sure it is the same for other professionals who get to be involved.
“We took a long route to get here, having to play four different teams in the qualifying series. I can tell you that we are prepared to do Nigeria and Africa proud. It is not about being here to make up the number; it is about being here to make an impact.”
The two-time runners-up are ensconced in the Intercontinental Hotel in San Jose, and already having training sessions.
On Sunday, the Falconets made use of the San Rafael Stadium for one hour, to knock off the jet lag, and then utilized the same facility for two hours on Sunday morning.
Organizers scheduled Africa’s top team to train at the Alajuela Stadium, and this has begun since Monday, while Tuesday training took place at the Stadio Piedades Santa Ana.
The competition begins, Wednesday with the Falconets set to play their first match against France at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose as from 5pm Costa Rica time (12 midnight Nigeria time) on Thursday.
Nigeria’s other group phase matches are against Korea Republic, as from 2pm Costa Rica time (9pm Nigeria time) on Sunday, 14th August and against Canada, as from 8pm Costa Rica time on Wednesday, 17th August (3am Nigeria time on Thursday, 18th August).
Both matches will hold at the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium.
Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana are up against Cup holders Japan, The Netherlands and three –time champions United States of America in Group D.
The list of Falconets hoisting the nation’s flag at the World Soccer fiesta are;
Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh, Monle Oyono, Peace Obidinma
Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin, Omowunmi Oshobukola, Rofiat Imuran, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem
Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo, Esther Onyenezide, Adoo Yina, Motunrayo Amoo, Chinyere Kalu, Deborah Abiodun
Forwards: Blessing Okpe, Joy Jerry, Mercy Idoko, Flourish Sabastine, Chioma Olise, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
Highlighted below are the participating teams in their respective Groups.
GROUP A: Costa Rica, Australia, Spain, Brazil
GROUP B: Germany, Colombia, New Zealand, Mexico
GROUP C: France, Nigeria, Canada, Korea Republic
GROUP D: Japan, The Netherlands, Ghana, USA
