“We are prepared to do Nigeria and Africa proud” – Falconets declare readiness for FIFA World Cup

The Nigeria women’s national under-20 football team are two-time runners-up at the Mundial

Head coach Christopher Danjuma has declared the Falconets’ readiness to take on the rest of the planet at the 2022 FIFA u-20 World Cup, which kicks off in Costa Rica on Wednesday, August 10.

Nigeria are one of the 16 teams from six confederations that have gathered in Costa Rica for the 10th edition of the biennial international women’s youth football championship.

One of the most consistent teams in international football, the Falconets have qualified for every edition of the World Cup since it was inaugurated in 2002.

The Falconets have a strong pedigree at the tournament, finishing as runners-up twice in 2010 and 2014. The Nigerian ladies also ended the 2012 edition in fourth place.

Costa Rica 2022 will not be any easier with defending champions Japan, European giants Germany, and three-time winners the United States of America all present.

But the Falconets are Africa’s leading team, going unbeaten throughout the qualification series. The Nigeria u-20 side got the better of the Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon, and Senegal to book their World Cup tickets.

And coach Danjuma is quietly confident that the young Nigerian ladies are looking forward to fighting for their country and continent.

“We are finally here, and we are happy to be here at the FIFA World Cup,” the former Super Falcons coach told the NFF official website after the team landed in Costa Rica.

“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 Nigeria U20 girls have been drawn in Group D alongside France, Canada, and South Korea.

The Falconets’ first match is against the Europeans at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose on Friday (midnight Nigeria time).

Nigeria will next face the Asians on Sunday, 14th August (9 pm Nigeria time) before rounding off the group stage with a clash against Canada four days later (Thursday, 18th August).