Two-time runners-up Nigeria must start like a house on fire when they take the pitch against their counterparts from Korea Republic in the first minutes of Monday in Nigeria (6pm Sunday, 1st September in Colombia), in their opening match of the 11th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.
The Falconets’ opening two games in Colombia (both taking place at the 10,000 -capacity Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota) are not for the faint-hearted, with Sunday’s encounter against the fast-paced East Asians to be followed on Wednesday evening by a clash with three-time champions Germany.
“We are working on our tactics and techniques, in order to get it right when we play the Koreans. That is the first and foremost assignment. Once we get it right against the Koreans, we will then set out for the Germans.
“I am very happy that we have no case of injury in camp. The girls are all ready to go out there and do Nigeria proud,” Head Coach Chris Danjuma told thenff.com.
Early on Saturday, FIFA Match Director Abeer Rantisi was at the Falconets’ Wyndhad Hotel in Bogota to present the certification of participation to Nigeria, which was received by captain Oluchi Ohaegbulam.
Ohaegbulam will lead from the midfield as the Falconets set out against the pacy Koreans, with goalkeeper Faith Omilana favoured to start in goal, and Comfort Folorunsho, Shukurat Oladipo, Rofiat Imuran and Jumoke Alani forming the rearguard.
Aminat Omowunmi Bello, Yina Adoo, Chioma Olise and Olushola Shobowale are among those who can start in the midfield alongside Ohaegbulam, while any three of Janet Akekoromowei, Opeyemi Ajakaye, Flourish Sabastine and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu will raid the opposition’s half for goals.
