Joe
The Nigeria U20 women’s football team, the Falconets, have fully recovered from their journey to Colombia and are now preparing to face Australia on Friday in the first of two scheduled friendly matches.
These matches, organized by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), are aimed at ensuring the team’s readiness for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024.
Under the guidance of head coach Chris Danjuma, with the recent addition of fitness trainer Chima Michael, the Falconets have been engaged in intensive training sessions since Monday.
The first test of their preparation will come on Friday when they face the Australian team at 10 a.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigeria time) at the Club Banco de la República in Bogotá. According to NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon, all necessary arrangements for the match have been finalized.
Danjuma’s squad, initially formed during the qualification rounds, has been strengthened with players who have also played for Nigeria’s senior women’s team, the Super Falcons. Among these are defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, Comfort Folorunsho, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, and Flourish Sabastine.
Notably, Folorunsho and Ajakaye were part of the Nigeria U17 squad that secured third place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago. Other members of that squad now with the Falconets in Colombia include goalkeeper Faith Omilana and forward Aminat Omowunmi Bello.
While these experienced players form the backbone of the team, the Falconets also boast emerging talents like defender Shukurat Oladipo, Chioma Olise, captain Oluchi Ohaegbulam, and forward Juliet Akekoromowei, all of whom contribute to the high expectations surrounding the team.
Following the match against Australia, the Falconets will take on Mexico in another friendly at the same venue on Monday.
